work

work

noun

Definition of WORK

1

a literary, musical, or artistic production <unfortunately, many of her works are now out of print>

Synonyms number, opus, piece, work

Related Words classic, magnum opus, masterpiece, pièce de résistance, showpiece; model, outline, sketch; étude; canon, corpus, oeuvre

2

something produced by physical or intellectual effort <the new Web application is the work of a pair of young but highly gifted programmers>

Synonyms affair, fruit, handiwork, labor, output, produce, production, thing, work, yield

Related Words article, commodity, entry, object; goods, line, merchandise, wares; handcraft, handicraft; aftereffect, aftermath, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, effect, issue, outcome, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot; by-product, derivative, offshoot, offspring, outgrowth, residual, side effect (also side reaction), spin-off

3

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>

Synonyms business, capacity, function, job, part, place, position, purpose, task, work

Related Words affair, concern, hand, involvement, participation; niche, office, post, situation; calling, occupation, pursuit, vocation; activity, assignment, charge, commission, duty, employ, mission, responsibility, service, use

4

the active use of energy in producing a result <put a lot of work into the project>

Synonyms elbow grease, exertion, expenditure, labor, pains, sweat, trouble, while, work

Related Words drudgery, grind, slog, strain, toil, travail; dint, energy; force, might, muscle, power, puissance; attempt, endeavor, essay, fling, go, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack

Near Antonyms adroitness, ease, facility, fluency, smoothness; dormancy, idleness, inaction, inactivity, indolence, inertia, languor, laziness, quiescence

5

the activity by which one regularly makes a living <what line of work are you in?>

Synonyms calling, employment, game, lay, line, profession, trade, vocation, work

Related Words call, lifework; business, enterprise, field, livelihood, living, métier (also metier), racket [slang]; assignment, engagement, gig, mission; art, craft, handcraft, handicraft; appointment, berth, billet, office, place, position, post, situation; duty, function, job, load, task, workload

Near Antonyms avocation, hobby, pursuit

6

works pl  a building or set of buildings for the manufacturing of goods <a glass works where high quality glassware is made>

Synonyms manufactory, mill, plant, shop, works, workshop

Related Words sweatshop; atelier, studio, workplace, workroom; yard