working

1 of 2

noun

work·​ing ˈwər-kiŋ 

1

: the manner of functioning or operating : operation

—usually used in plural

the inner workings of the government

2

: an excavation or group of excavations made in mining, quarrying, or tunneling

—usually used in plural

working

2 of 2

adjective

1

: engaged in work especially for wages or a salary

a working journalist

a working mother

2

: adequate to permit work to be done

a working majority

3

: assumed or adopted to permit or facilitate further work or activity

a working draft

4

: spent at work

working life

5

: being in use or operation

a working farm

Synonyms of working

Noun

• mechanics
• ropes

Adjective

• operating
• operational
• operative
• functioning
• running

Examples of working in a Sentence

Noun

an article about the byzantine workings of the auction business for high-end art

Adjective

There is a good working relationship between the departments.

the working parts of the machine

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If an employer chooses to grant recognition, no election takes place, and the parties begin bargaining a contract that sets standards for wages, working conditions and benefits. — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

As for the demonstrator, this will not be a prototype, but rather a full-scale working aircraft that will be called Jet1. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026

Adjective

Office workers are spending more time working at their homes and less time in the office, leaving employers with space needs that are far less than before COVID-19 and a greater need for co-working spaces. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026

Sorrentino said the company is also exploring other potential amenities, including co-working spaces and wellness amenities such as a cold plunge, sauna and hot tub, features that have been popular with residents in other buildings. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing working

• co-working
• in (good) working order
• in (good) working order/condition
• non-working
• the working class
• the working classes
• wonder-working
• working asset
• working/business breakfast
• working/business lunch
• working capital
• working class
• working day
• working dog
• working fluid
• working girl
• working group
• working memory
• working papers
• working party
• working relationship
• working substance
• working week

Rhymes for working

• clerking
• jerking
• lurking
• shirking
• smirking
• hardworking
• networking
• nonworking
• reworking
• woodworking
• interworking
• metalworking

Kids Definition

working

1 of 2 noun

work·​ing ˈwər-kiŋ 

: the manner of functioning or operating : operation

—usually used in plural

the inner workings of the motion picture industry

working

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: doing work especially for a living

working people

b

: being in an operating state

a working model

2

: good enough to allow work to be done

a working majority

a working arrangement