Work — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)

"this new drug can really work wonders"

to find an answer for through reasoning

"finally figured out how to work the math problem"

to have a certain purpose

"the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood"

to produce a desired effect

"this headache remedy takes half an hour to work"

to set or keep in motion

"this pump is worked by hand"

to control the mechanical operation of

"show me how to work the machine"

to devote serious and sustained effort

"the organization has worked for years to raise people's awareness of human rights issues"

to take unfair advantage of

"a young boy who worked his aunt for all she was worth in toys and candy when she visited once a year"

a literary, musical, or artistic production

"unfortunately, many of her works are now out of print"

something produced by physical or intellectual effort

"the new Web application is the work of a pair of young but highly gifted programmers"

the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists

"the work of a movie director is to tell a story through a series of striking images"

the active use of energy in producing a result

"put a lot of work into the project"

the activity by which one regularly makes a living

"what line of work are you in?"

a building or set of buildings for the manufacturing of goods

"a glass works where high quality glassware is made"