/wɜːrk/
Work has 39 different meanings across 3 categories:
Noun · Verb · Proper Noun
activity directed toward making or doing something
"she checked several points needing further work"
a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing
"it is not regarded as one of his more memorable works"
"the symphony was hailed as an ingenious work"
"he was indebted to the pioneering work of John Dewey"
"the work of an active imagination"
"erosion is the work of wind or water over time"
the occupation for which you are paid
"he is looking for employment"
"a lot of people are out of work"
(physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force
"work equals force times distance"
the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)
"he studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvre"
"Picasso's work can be divided into periods"
Employment.
"She decided to quit her job at the bakery and start looking for new work as a graphic designer."
Labour, occupation, job.
"She left her work early to pick up her children from school."
In plain English: Work is the effort you put into doing something to get a result.
"I have to finish my work before I can go home."
Usage: Use "work" as a noun to refer collectively to one's employment or occupation without adding an apostrophe. Do not write "works" when meaning your job, as that plural form refers to buildings or artistic creations.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
"I will work hard to improve my grades"
"she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor"
operate in a certain place, area, or specialty
"She works the night clubs"
"The salesman works the Midwest"
"This artist works mostly in acrylics"
proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity
"work your way through every problem or task"
"She was working on her second martini when the guests arrived"
"Start from the bottom and work towards the top"
behave in a certain way when handled
"This dough does not work easily"
"The soft metal works well"
move into or onto
"work the raisins into the dough"
"the student worked a few jokes into his presentation"
"work the body onto the flatbed truck"
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
"did you solve the problem?"
"Work out your problems with the boss"
"this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out"
"did you get it?"
"Did you get my meaning?"
"He could not work the math problem"
arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion
"The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times"
To do a specific task by employing physical or mental powers.
"She spent the morning working on her tax returns while sipping coffee at the kitchen table."
Followed by in (or at, etc.) Said of one's workplace (building), or one's department, or one's trade (sphere of business).
"After years of working at the factory, Sarah finally decided to retire."
In plain English: To work means to put effort into doing something, like studying for a test or cleaning your room.
"I need to work hard on this project to finish it on time."
Usage: Use "work" to describe actively applying effort to complete a task, such as working on a project or working out at the gym. Avoid using it for inanimate objects that function automatically; instead, say the machine "works" only when referring to its operational status.
A surname.
"My neighbor Mr. Work is hosting a barbecue for everyone in the block on Saturday."
The word "work" comes from Old English weorc, which traces its roots back to the Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to make." It has retained this original sense of creating or doing something throughout its journey into modern English.