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Working Very Common

Working has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Adjective

Definitions
Noun
1

a mine or quarry that is being or has been worked

"The old coal working was still visible as a scar in the hillside long after the mine had closed."

2

Operation; action.

"The machine is working perfectly after we fixed the belt."

In plain English: A working is an old-fashioned term for a job or a piece of work that someone does to earn money.

"The working of the machine was smooth and efficient."

Verb
1

present participle of work

"The engine was working smoothly after the mechanic finished the repairs."

In plain English: To work means to do a job or put effort into something to make it happen.

"She is working late tonight to finish her report."

Adjective
1

actively engaged in paid work

"the working population"

"the ratio of working men to unemployed"

"a working mother"

"robots can be on the job day and night"

2

adequate for practical use; especially sufficient in strength or numbers to accomplish something

"the party has a working majority in the House"

"a working knowledge of Spanish"

3

adopted as a temporary basis for further work

"a working draft"

"a working hypothesis"

4

(of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing

"in running (or working) order"

"a functional set of brakes"

5

serving to permit or facilitate further work or activity

"discussed the working draft of a peace treaty"

"they need working agreements with their neighbor states on interstate projects"

6

That is or are functioning.

"The old printer finally started working again after I replaced the ink cartridge."

In plain English: Working describes something that is currently being used, operated, or functioning properly.

"The working conditions in that factory are very dangerous."

Usage: Use this adjective to indicate that machinery, systems, or processes are currently operating as intended rather than being broken. It often appears in phrases like "a working model" or "the engine isn't working."

Example Sentences
"The working conditions in that factory are very dangerous." adj
"The working of the machine was smooth and efficient." noun
"She is working late tonight to finish her report." verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)

Origin

The word "working" comes from the Middle English verb wyrċan, meaning "to work." It entered modern usage as a verbal noun describing the act of performing labor.

Rhyming Words
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