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work · noun /wɜrk/Full view
Nouns: work, works, workaholic, worker, workings, overwork
Adjectives: workable, unworkable, overworked, working
Verbs: work, rework, overwork
work (PLACE)
A1 U the place where you go to do your job
Dictionary examples:

Do you have far to travel to work each day?

Thousands of people are seriously injured at work every year.

When does she leave for work?

What time do you start/finish work?

Learner example:

I will finish work at five o'clock. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

work (JOB)
A1 U something you do as a job to earn money
Dictionary examples:

Has she gotten any work yet?

Many young people are out of work.

Learner example:

[I] like my work. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

work (ACTIVITY)
A2 U the activities that you have to do at school, for your job, etc.
Dictionary examples:

I'll have to take this work home with me and finish it there.

The teacher said she was pleased with my work.

Learner example:

I have a lot of work to do this week. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Polish)

work (EFFORT)
B1 U when you use physical or mental effort to do something
Dictionary examples:

Carrying heavy loads around all day is hard work.

I can certainly do a report for you but it will be a lot of work.

Learner example:

The lessons are very good but the teacher is going very quickly. It will be hard work. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Czech)

work (CREATION)
B2 C a painting, book, piece of music, etc.
Dictionary examples:

The museum has many works by Picasso as well as other modern painters.

the complete works of Shakespeare

Learner example:

We agreed that something had to be done to promote the popularity of local films, some of them being great works of art. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

work · verb /wɜrk/
Nouns: work, works, workaholic, worker, workings, overwork
Adjectives: workable, unworkable, overworked, working
Verbs: work, rework, overwork
work (DO JOB)
A1 I or T to do a job, especially the job you do to earn money
Dictionary examples:

She worked as a cleaner at the hospital.

Mike works for a computer company.

My dad works very long hours.

Learner example:

She works [from] Monday to Friday. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Panjabi)

work (OPERATE)
A2 I or T If a machine or piece of equipment works, it is not broken.
Dictionary examples:

Our telephone isn't working.

I can't get the radio to work.

Learner example:

I tried to phone her house, but her phone wasn't working, so I decided to go to her house. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

work (SUCCEED)
B1 I If something works, it is effective or successful.
Dictionary examples:

Her plan to increase sales worked.

The pills will start to work in a few minutes.

Learner example:

I changed cars several times to fool the police. It worked very well. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

can work sth; know how to work sth
C1 to know how to use a machine or piece of equipment
Dictionary example:

Do you know how to work the video camera?

Learner example:

At that time, I also learned how to work the lighting during the play. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Japanese)

work at sth
B2 to try hard to achieve something
Dictionary example:

You need to work at improving your writing.

Learner example:

In my opinion, this is the part our college has to improve and to work at. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

work on sth
B2 to spend time repairing or improving something
Dictionary example:

Tim loves working on old cars.

Learner example:

I believe that it would be best to paint a picture of me in the garage working on my new car. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

work sth out or work out sth
B2 to do a calculation to get an answer to a mathematical question
Dictionary example:

We need to work out the total cost of the project.

Learner example:

I had to work out all my figures two times to make sure that my accounts were accurate. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

work out (EXERCISE)
B1 to exercise in order to improve the strength or appearance of your body
Dictionary example:

Heidi works out in the gym two or three times a week.

Learner example:

At the time I use[d] to work out and I [saw] that he was looking [at] me while I was doing my exercises. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

work out (BECOME BETTER)
B2 If a problem or a complicated situation works out, it ends in a successful way.
Dictionary example:

We were worried that the event would be disorganized, but it all worked out in the end.

Learner example:

I hope you follow my instructions and you'll see how everything works out fine. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

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