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

And those that don't consistently evaluate their own evolution — including better ways of working and better delivery of goods and services — get left behind. — Billee Howard, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Allisen Corpuz wrapped up the last automatic place Friday, and Andrea Lee and Alison Lee took spots off the working ranking Sunday. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Despite their homecoming there will be no alteration to their roles as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family, USA TODAY understands. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

By operating as both a co-working and co-living hub, the nonprofit organization is injecting new energy, creativity, and money into the region. — Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 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