work

Word family  noun work workaholic worker working workings adjective workable ≠ unworkable overworked working verb work rework

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Industry, Maths

work1 /wɜːk $ wɜːrk/ ●●● S1 W1 verb  1  do a job for money 为挣钱而工作 [intransitive]WORK/DO WORK to do a job that you are paid for 受雇，从事…工作 Where do you work? 你在哪里上班？ Many young people in the area have never worked. 该地区的许多年轻人从未工作过。 The injury means he’ll probably never work again. 这伤意味着他很有可能再也不能工作了。work for He works for a law firm. 他在一家律师事务所工作。work at/in I work at the university. 我在这所大学工作。work as She works as a consultant for a design company. 她在一家设计公司当顾问。work in industry/education/publishing etc The studies were undertaken by people working in education. 这些研究是教育界人士做的。work part-time/full-time I work part-time in a library. 我在一家图书馆兼职。n GRAMMAR: Prepositions with work• You work in a city or area: He works in Manhattan.• You work in a type of place such as a bank, shop, or factory: She works in a library.• You work at a particular place or organization: She works at the Library of Congress. • You work for a person, company, or organization that employs you: He works for his father.We both work for the same company.• You work in an industry or a type of job, for example education, advertising, or IT: He works in advertising.• You work as a waiter, cashier, accountant etc: She works as a cook. ✗Don’t say: She works as cook.• You work on a project or task: Several people worked on the report.2  do your job 做工作 [intransitive, transitive]WORK/DO WORK to do the activities and duties that are part of your job 工作，干活 Sally isn’t working tomorrow. 萨莉明天不上班。 Staff will have to get used to a new way of working. 员工必须适应新的工作方式。work with One of the women I work with is getting married this weekend. 我的一位女同事这个周末结婚。work under somebody (=have someone who is in charge of you) 在某人领导下工作 Each site has a fully trained team who work under a site manager. 每个工地都有一支训练有素的队伍，在工地经理手下工作。work days/nights/weekends etc I get paid more if I work nights. 我要是上夜班就可以多拿工资。 We’re sometimes expected to work twelve-hour days. 我们有时候需要一天工作12小时。 Are you working late (=working after the time you usually finish) again tonight? 你今晚又要加班吗？ Forty police officers are working round the clock (=working day and night without stopping) to find Murray’s killer. 为了找出杀害默里的凶手，40名警察正日夜工作。 Nowadays, many people are able to work from home. 如今，很多人可以在家工作。3  help 帮助 [intransitive]WORK/DO WORK if you work with someone or a group of people, your job involves trying to help them 从事帮助〔某人或某群体〕的工作work with/among She’s just retired after 38 years working with children. 她做了38年儿童工作，刚刚退休。 He has worked among some of the world’s poorest people. 他做过扶贫工作，帮助过一些世界上最穷困的人。4  do an activity 从事活动 [intransitive]WORK/DO WORK to spend time and effort doing something 〔花费时间和精力〕做〔某事〕 I’ve been working in the garden all afternoon. 我一下午都在花园里干活。 I’m going to have to work really hard to pass these exams. 要通过这些考试，我必须非常刻苦地学习。 We’re working together to develop a new system. 我们正在合作开发一种新系统。5  try to achieve STH 争取做成某事 [intransitive]TRY TO DO OR GET something to try continuously to achieve a particular thing 努力取得，力争work towards They are working towards a solution to their problems. 他们正设法找到解决问题的方法。work for We will work for the release of the hostages. 我们会争取让人质获释。work to do something The police are working to provide more help for victims of crime. 警方在尽力为犯罪受害人提供更多帮助。 The company is working hard to improve its image. 该公司正竭力提升自身形象。 He worked tirelessly (=worked very hard in a determined way) for the charity throughout his life. 他毕生为这个慈善机构孜孜不倦地工作。6  machine/equipment 机器/设备 a) [intransitive]WORKING/NOT BROKEN if a machine or piece of equipment works, it does what it is supposed to do 运转；活动 You should check that the smoke alarm is working properly. 你应该检查一下烟雾警报器运转是否正常。 The delete key doesn’t work. 删除键失灵了。get something to work I can’t get the heater to work. 我无法让加热器正常工作。 b) [transitive]SWITCH ON OR OFF to make a machine or piece of equipment do what it is supposed to do 操作，使用〔机器或设备〕 My parents can’t even work the video. 我父母甚至连录像机都不会用。7  be effective/successful 有效/成功 [intransitive]SUCCEED IN DOING something to be effective or successful 有效，起作用 Making a marriage work can take a lot of effort. 要让婚姻美满有时需要付出很大努力。 I’ve never found a diet that works. 我从未找到过有效的节食方式。 The recipe works just as well if you use margarine instead of butter. 如果用人造黄油代替食谱中的天然黄油，效果一样好。 The cream works immediately to relieve sore skin. 这种乳霜可以立即缓解皮肤疼痛。work for You need to find which method works best for you. 你要找出哪种方法对你最有用。work against a drug that works against some types of cancer 一种对某些癌症有疗效的药物8  have an effect 有效果 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]EFFECT/INFLUENCE if something such as a fact, situation, or system works in a particular way, it has a particular effect on someone or something 有影响 The arrangement works well for everyone involved. 这项安排对所有参与者都有利。 The French team are the heavier crew, which should work in their favour (=help them). 法国队体重更重，这应该对他们有利。 Sexism still works against (=harms or causes problems for) women in many professions. 性别歧视依然在许多行业阻碍女性的发展。 Loyalty works both ways (=involves two opposite or matching effects): we are loyal to our employees and, in turn, they are loyal to us. 忠诚是相互的: 我们对待雇员忠诚坦白，雇员投桃报李也对我们贞心不贰。9  art/style/literature 艺术/风格/文学 [intransitive]EFFECTIVE if a painting, design, piece of writing etc works, it is successful because it has the effect on you that the painter, writer etc intended 〔画作、设计、文章等〕奏效，产生预期效果 I don’t think the scene with the horses really works, do you? 我觉得那些马的场面效果不好，你说呢？work for The colour combination just doesn’t work for me. 这种色彩搭配就是不合我意。10. shape/cut STH 让某物成形/切割某物 [transitive]TIC if you work a material such as metal, leather, or clay, you cut, sew, or shape it in order to make something 〔通过切割、缝纫等〕使〔金属、皮革、陶土等〕成形[定形]11  use a substance 使用某种材料 [intransitive]TIC to use a particular material or substance in order to make something such as a picture, design, jewellery etc 〔用某种材料〕作画[设计，制作珠宝等]work in/with a sculptor who works in steel 钢雕雕塑家 a jeweller who works with silver 打造银首饰的珠宝匠12  work your way to/through etc something a) to move somewhere slowly and with difficulty 缓慢而费力地移到/穿过某处 From here, we worked our way carefully across the rock base. 我们从这里小心翼翼地穿过岩基。 b) to achieve something gradually by working 〔通过努力〕逐步达到 He had worked his way up to head of department. 他一步一个脚印不懈努力，终于做到部门主管。13. work your way through school/college/university etc to do a job while you are a student because you need the money to pay for your courses, books etc 打工读完中学/大学等14  move gradually 逐渐移动 [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition]MOVE something OR somebodyMOVE/CHANGE POSITION to move into a particular state or position very gradually, either in a series of small movements or after a long time 逐步移动到〔某位置〕；逐渐达到〔某状态〕 Slowly he worked the screwdriver into the crack. 他慢慢把螺丝刀插进裂缝中。work (its way) loose One of the screws must have worked loose. 肯定是有颗螺丝松了。15  exercise 锻炼 [transitive]MOVE something OR somebody to use and exercise a muscle or part of your body 使〔身体肌肉或某部位〕活动起来 Swimming is a form of exercise that works every muscle in your body. 游泳是一种锻炼全身每一块肌肉的运动方式。16  move 活动 [intransitive, transitive] formal if a part of your body works or you work it, it moves （使）〔身体部位〕抽动，颤动 She was trembling and her mouth was working. 她身体在颤抖，嘴唇也在哆嗦。17  work in an area 在某地区工作 [transitive] especially American EnglishTRAVEL if you work a particular area or type of place, you travel around the area for your job, or work in that type of place 从事〔某区域的〕工作；在…工作 Markowitz works the Tri-State area. 马科维茨在三州交界地区工作。18  work the door to take tickets from people as they enter a club, theatre etc 〔在夜总会、剧院等门口〕收票，检票 Binns worked the door at various Manhattan clubs. 宾斯在曼哈顿的多家夜总会做过检票员。19  entertain a crowd 娱乐众人 [transitive] if an entertainer or politician works a crowd of people, they entertain them and get their interest or support 〔艺人〕娱乐〔观众〕；〔政客为获得支持〕取悦〔众人〕 She really knew how to work a crowd. 她很会逗观众开心。20  land/soil 土地/土壤 [transitive]TAC if you work the land, soil etc, you do all the work necessary to grow crops on it 耕种 He was left to work the farm alone. 他一个人被留在农场耕作。21. mine 矿 [transitive]TI to remove a substance such as coal, gold, or oil from under the ground 开采〔煤、金、石油等〕22  work like magic/work like a charm  (also work a treat British English)EFFECTIVE to be very effective 非常灵验，非常有效 a polish that works a treat on windows 用在窗户上效果很好的擦光剂23. mind/brain 智力/头脑 [intransitive]THINK ABOUT if your mind or brain is working, you are thinking or trying to solve a problem 〔大脑〕思考，〔脑筋〕开动24  work on the principle/assumption/basis etc that to base ideas, plans etc on a particular fact that you think is true 以某原则/假设/基础等为前提 We’re working on the assumption that the conference will take place in Canada, as planned. 我们假定大会将按计划在加拿大召开。25  work yourself into a frenzy/panic/state etc CAUSEto make yourself become very nervous, angry etc 使自己变得疯狂/恐慌/紧张等 He seemed to be working himself into a rage. 他似乎开始怒火中烧。26  work it/things spokenARRANGE A MEETING, EVENT ETC to make arrangements for something to happen, especially by behaving in a clever or skilful way 〔尤指巧妙地〕设法安排 We should try and work it so that we can all go together. 我们应该设法安排一下，让大家都可以一起去。27  work the system to understand how a system works so that you can get advantages for yourself, often in a slightly dishonest way 钻空子 Lynn could show the rest of us how to work the system. 林恩会教我们其余的人怎么钻空子。28  work somebody hard  (also work somebody into the ground informal)WORK HARD to make someone work very hard 让〔某人〕辛苦工作 The coach has been working us really hard this week. 教练本周让我们训练得非常辛苦。 People have complained that they are being worked into the ground. 人们抱怨工作太辛苦。work yourself into the ground I’ve worked myself into the ground setting up this interview. 为了安排这次访谈，我把自己弄得精疲力竭。29. work your fingers to the bone  (also work your socks off informal)WORK HARD to work very hard 拼命干活；努力工作30. work your butt/ass/arse off not polite to work very hard 拼命干活31. calculate 计算 [transitive] American English formalHM to calculate the answer to a mathematical problem 计算，算出〔数学题的答案〕32. work to rule British EnglishBEL to protest about a situation at work by doing your job slowly, with the excuse that you must obey all the rules exactly 故意严守规章而少干活，按章工作33  (it) works for me/you etc spoken used to say that something is very suitable for someone and does exactly what they wanted or expected 这很适合我 I meditate and do Yoga every day. It works for me and I think it could work for you too. 我每天静思做瑜伽。这对我挺管用，我想对你可能也会有好处。n34  work a trend/look etc to wear something fashionable – used especially in magazines Gemma looks great as she works the nautical look. → work wonders at wonder2(4), → work miracles at miracle(4), → work your magic at magic1(5) PHRASAL VERBS35 work around somebody/something (also work round somebody/something British English) phrasal verb to arrange or organize something so that you avoid problems that may stop you from doing something 〔为避免做某事受阻而〕安排，组织 John won’t be here on the 15th so we’ll have to work round that. 约翰15号不在，所以我们只好另作安排。36 work around to something (also work round to something British English) phrasal verb to gradually mention a subject in a conversation or piece of writing, especially because it is embarrassing 逐渐讲到〔某个话题〕 You’ll have to work round to the subject gradually. 你得慢慢转到这个话题上。37 work at something phrasal verb to try hard to improve something or achieve something 努力改善，致力于 Learning a language isn’t easy. You have to work at it. 学语言不容易，必须很努力。work at doing something couples who want to work at improving their relationship 想努力改善关系的夫妻38 work somebody/something in phrasal verb a) INCLUDE work something ↔ in (also work something into something) to include something in a speech, piece of writing, activity etc 包括；把…加进 He managed to work in a few references to his new book. 他设法在自己的新书里加进了一些参考书目。 Here are a few goodies you can work into your daily diet. 这里有几样好东西，可以加入你的日常食谱里。b) DFCADD work something ↔ in (also work something into something) to add one substance to another and mix them together in a very thorough way 把…搅拌进 Work the butter into the flour. 把黄油拌进面粉里。c) American English spoken to arrange to meet someone, even though you are very busy 〔尽管很忙还是〕安排与〔某人〕见面 SYN British English fit somebody in My schedule’s pretty full, but I think I can work you in. 我的日程很满，不过我想还是可以安排和你见面的。39 work something ↔ off phrasal verb a) GET RID OFto get rid of something, especially a feeling such as anger, nervousness etc, by doing something that uses a lot of your energy 〔通过消耗精力〕消除，发泄〔怒气、紧张情绪等〕 Walking is excellent for working off tension. 散步对于消除紧张情绪非常有效。 I need to go and work off a few of these calories. 我要去消耗掉一些卡路里。b) to do a job for someone else because you owe them money or because they have helped you in the past 干活抵销〔欠款或人情债〕 She hasn’t worked off her debts to me yet. 她干的活还没有抵清欠我的债。40 work on somebody/something phrasal verb a) WORK/DO WORKto spend time working in order to produce or repair something 从事，致力于 He has spent the last two years working on a book about childcare. 过去两年来他一直致力于撰写一本育儿书。 Every weekend you see him working on his car. 每个周末你都能看到他在鼓捣他的汽车。b) to try very hard to improve or achieve something 努力提高，努力实现 A trainer has been brought in to work on her fitness. 请来一位教练帮她健身。work on doing something We need to work on ensuring that the children feel safe and confident. 我们需要努力确保孩子们有安全感和自信心。c) PERSUADEto try continuously to influence someone or persuade them to do something 努力影响[说服]〔某人〕 You leave him to me. I’ll work on him. 把他交给我吧，我会尽力说服他。41 work out phrasal verb a) plan 计划 work something ↔ outPLAN to think carefully about how you are going to do something and plan a good way of doing it 制订出… UN negotiators have worked out a set of compromise proposals. 联合国谈判人员制订出一套折中方案。work out what/where/how etc We need to work out how we’re going to get there. 我们需要想想如何去那里。 I had it all worked out (=had made very careful plans). 我已制订了细致的计划。b) calculate 计算 work something ↔ outCOUNT/CALCULATE to calculate an answer, amount, price etc 计算出〔答案、数量、价格等〕 See if you can work this bill out. 看看你能不能把这份账单算出来。work out how much/how many etc We’ll have to work out how much food we’ll need for the party. 我们必须算出这次聚会需要多少食物。c) understand 理解 work something ↔ out especially British EnglishSOLVE/FIND THE ANSWER to think about something and manage to understand it 设法弄懂某事物 The plot is very complicated – it’ll take you a while to work it out. 故事情节很复杂——要花点时间才会明白。work something out for yourself I’m sure you can work it out for yourself. 我想你自己一定会弄明白的。d) cost 费用TOTAL if a cost or amount works out at a particular figure, it is found to be that much when you calculate it 〔费用或数量〕算下来是work out at/to £10/$500 etc The bill works out at £15 each. 账单算下来是每人15英镑。work out expensive/cheap etc (=be expensive or cheap) 算下来贵/便宜等 If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive. 要是我们坐出租车去，算下来要不少钱。e) get better 好起来SUCCEED IN DOING something if a problem or complicated situation works out, it gradually gets better or gets solved 〔问题〕逐渐解决；〔复杂情况〕逐渐化解 Things will work out, you’ll see. 情况会好起来的，看着吧。 I hope it all works out for Gina and Andy. 我希望吉娜和安迪的问题会得到解决。work itself out I’m sure everything will work itself out. 我确信一切都会好起来的。f) happen 发生HAPPEN if a situation works out in a particular way, it happens in that way 〔以某种方式〕发生 SYN turn outwork out well/badly Financially, things have worked out well for us. 我们的经济情况很好。g) exercise 锻炼EXERCISE to make your body fit and strong by doing exercises 锻炼；健身 He works out with weights twice a week. 他每星期练两次举重。 → workouth) I can’t work somebody out British English spokenUNDERSTAND used to say that you cannot understand what someone is really like or why they behave in the way they do 我弄不懂某人〔指不理解某人的性格或行为〕 I couldn’t work her out at all. 我完全弄不懂她。i) be worked outTI if a mine is worked out, all the coal, gold etc has been removed from it 〔矿藏〕采掘完42.work somebody over phrasal verb informal HITto attack someone by hitting them several times 殴打，揍〔某人〕43 work through phrasal verb a) work through something to deal with problems or unpleasant feelings 解决〔问题〕；调整〔情绪〕 After someone dies, it can take a long time to work through your grief. 有人去世之后，为之悲伤不已的人可能需要很长时间才能从哀痛中走出来。b) if the result or effect of something works through, it becomes noticeable 〔结果或影响〕变得明显 The positive effect on businesses may take up to three years to work through. 对各企业产生的积极影响可能要经过长达三年的时间才会显现出来。44 work up phrasal verb a) BECOME work up enthusiasm/interest/courage etc to make yourself feel interested, brave etc 激起热情/激起兴趣/鼓起勇气等 I’m trying to work up enough courage to go to the dentist. 我正在努力鼓起勇气去看牙医。b) HUNGRY/WANT TO EAT work up an appetite/a thirst/a sweat to make yourself hungry or thirsty, or make yourself sweat, especially by doing physical exercise 〔尤指运动之后〕引起食欲/渴感/出汗 You can work up a really big thirst playing tennis. 打网球能让人非常口渴。c) ANGRY work somebody up to make someone very angry, excited, or upset about something 使某人感到气愤[激动，不安]work yourself up You’re working yourself up again. 你又激动了。 She had worked herself up into a state. 她把自己弄得很紧张。 → worked upd) work something ↔ upIMPROVE to develop and improve something such as a project or a piece of writing 逐步完善〔计划、文章等〕 Jack took notes which he would work up into a report later. 杰克记了笔记，稍后会将其整理成一份报告。45 work up to something phrasal verb PREPAREto gradually prepare yourself to do something difficult 逐渐准备〔去做困难的事〕work up to doing something He’d been working up to asking her for a date all week. 整个星期他都在准备约她出去。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

work• "I can't open the jar." "Try putting it in hot water. That sometimes works."• His illness eventually prevented him from working.• I've tried several different diets, but none of them seem to work.• Even where reform has been radical, it has not always worked.• Does the old tape recorder still work?• Does the TV work?• I've been working all day in the garden.• He's changed his job and is now working as a consultant for a German firm.• Her father was an artist who sometimes worked as a salesman and labourer.• For nineteen years, my father worked for the General Electric Corporation.• Frank's been working here for 32 years.• I'd never worked in a lab before I came here.• The research represents the second stage of cross-national collaborative studies undertaken by colleagues working in education in a number of countries.• It is the people who work in the institutions who are most exposed to our dislike.• I bought a bottle of stain remover, and it worked like magic.• Are you prepared to work longer hours occasionally, to get the work done?• Five mornings a week, she worked on campus.• I have to work on Saturday too.• Voice over 16 officers are still working on the case full time.• MacArthur says that the husband alone should work outside the home.• I have no idea how to work these new phones.• Does anyone here know how to work this microwave?• He only works three days a week now.• an organization that is working to preserve California's redwood trees• Not all cancer patients prefer to continue working while undergoing treatment.• Four teachers agreed to work without pay until things were settled.work for• I think Linda works for a law firm.• Trainor spent a lifetime working for equal rights.• My Dad's been working for IBM for over twenty years.• Russell is working as a software developer for Microsoft.• How long have you worked for Mr Jackson?work with• Jerry will be working with me on the project.work with/among• Anyone who worked with him recognised his uncanny ability to find something oddly heroic in all the manifestations of human weakness.• They made no objections to my method and seemed to enjoy working with me.• He worked with Ramsey on several ecumenical committees and respected his mind.• I saw outstanding examples of team work with results impressive in their professionalism.• Also, the posts were round in cross-section, whereas we always worked with square ones.• Macro does a lot of work with the federal government.• More people are going back to work with their hands than ever before.• Now he has had a chance to work with them and perhaps better understands the intricacies of their job.work ... hard• For some managers a busy looking, paper strewn desk, seems to convey that they are very busy and working hard.• We were well educated and we worked hard.• There is an new bread of youth, an elite who work hard and play hard.• Or they make a sumptuous meal and they work very hard and watch their children and wait for their men.• Carrington worked hard, and with dedication, winning a scholarship.• This is your night, your class, and you've worked hard for it.• Instead, they must work hard throughout the period of change until they have integrated new behaviors into daily routines.• Our distributors worked hard to sell our products.work to do something• I believed we were working to build a wonderful future.• It takes time and work to build credibility.• More and more are going into politics with the specific intention of working to change the present unjust system.• He said the airline was now working to clear the backlog, with the delayed flights expected to depart within 24 hours.• He worked to dispel his doubts about his friend as though to pass another test, like his ordeal in the park.• In the United States, researchers are working to find the chemical responsible for odour changes. 6.• We worked hard to persuade the French to attend the meeting.• The Connecticut couple went to Wiedenheft and are working to salvage their marriage.• What's more, a steering box's non-reversibility works to your advantage in a front-drive car.get something to work• Danger is a great thing for getting the body to work!• I'd like the Laboratory building checked first, and as quickly as possible so that the staff can get back to work.• Instead, the two have got together to work on a new service where users will pay for their downloads.• It sounds simple, but Aprilia and Orbital faced a tough challenge getting the system to work.• Lunch is over and she has to get back to work.• Or can I get the heater to work?• When you succeed, pat yourself on the back, take a five-minute break to celebrate, then get back to work.work against• Tax laws tend to work against small businesses.work in ... favour• But de Gaulle held firm because he knew that time was working in his favour.• Some analysts argue that this could work in Merrem's favour.• Somehow it all works in their favour.• The contrast with Yeats is instructive, and it doesn't work in Pound's favour.• Remember - anything that reduces the casualty count will work in your favour because of your fixed rank bonus.• Also, the preponderance of men means that the mating game works in favour of women.• Bags can work in our favour too. work in/with• A similar dynamic was at work with a 1998 initiative campaign that would have allowed open primaries.• He does not show up for work in a bathrobe, even a White House one.• We spend 6 weeks working with local churches doing outreach, and then have one final week of school.• But when they are scalping, they are working in the public interest.• Many people ask to work in the shop, he says.• Petar now goes by the name of Peter and works in the Unmik administration.• I prefer to work in watercolors.• Obviously, works in which the composer creates a continuous musical bridge between one movement and the next.• That doesn't happen when some one works with you as a director, and Jack was like a director, too.work (its way) loose• Check that all cables are firmly in their sockets and have not worked loose.• I therefore put muzzles on all the ferrets I intend to work loose.• It was these bolt which had worked loose.• Since aluminium expands more than steel the steel bolts had worked loose.• This stops them working loose as yours have done and subsequently ruining the engine.?• If these work loose, feedback can arise, so check and tighten if necessary.• The males are usually used as line ferrets and the females are worked loose, muzzled or otherwise.

Related topics: Arts, Physics

work2 ●●● S1 W1 noun  1  job 工作 [uncountable]JOB/WORK a job or activity that you do regularly, especially in order to earn money 工作；职业 → employment There isn’t a lot of work at this time of the year. 每年这个时候工作机会都不多。 He’s been out of work (=without a job) for two years. 他失业有两年了。 More people are in work (=have a job) than ten years ago. 现在有工作的人比十年前多。before/after work (=before a day of work or at the end of a day of work) 上班前/下班后 Do you want to go for a drink after work? 下班后你想去喝一杯吗？► see thesaurus at job5 GRAMMAR 语法• In this meaning, work is an uncountable noun. Do not say ‘a work’. Say work or a job . work用于这个意思是不可数名词，不要说a work，而要说work或a jobIt may be difficult for older people to obtain paid work.上年纪的人找到拿薪水的工作可能有困难。I applied for a job (NOT 不说 a work) as a reporter.我申请了一份记者工作。n GRAMMAR: Comparisonwork• In this meaning, work is always an uncountable noun. • You say: It may be hard for older people to find work. ✗Don’t say: find a workjob• Job is a countable noun.• You say: I applied for a job as a reporter. ✗Don’t say: I applied for a work.• You say: Her first job was in London. ✗Don’t say: Her first work was in London.2  place 地点 [uncountable]WORK FOR somebody a place where you do your job, which is not your home 工作地点；办公室 I had an accident on the way to work. 上班路上我出了事故。 He left work at the usual time. 他在平常的时间下班。 I went out with the girls from work last night. 昨晚我和工作单位的姑娘们出去了。at work Dad’s at work right now. 爸爸现在正在上班。3  duties 责任 [uncountable]WORK THAT somebody DOES the duties and activities that are part of your job 差事；职务 A large part of the work we do involves using computers. 我们大部分工作要使用电脑。 He starts work at 4 am. 他清晨4点开始工作。 He’s started a business doing gardening and roofing work. 他开办了一家承揽园艺和房屋盖顶业务的公司。4  result 成果 [uncountable]WORK THAT somebody DOES something that you produce as a result of doing your job or doing an activity 工作成果；产品 Send a résumé and examples of your work. 请寄一份履历及你所做的样品。 The building is the work of architect Rafael Moneo. 这幢大楼是建筑师拉斐尔•莫内欧的作品。 The teacher should make sure that each child has a piece of work displayed on the wall. 老师应该确保每个孩子都有一幅作品挂在墙上展示。 The standard of work has declined. 作品的水准下降了。5  papers etc 文件等 [uncountable] the papers and other materials you need for doing work 〔工作所需的〕文件及材料 Can you move some of your work off the kitchen table? 你能否把你的工作材料从厨房桌子上拿走一些？ I often have to take work home with me. 我经常要把工作带回家做。 6  book/painting/music 书/画/音乐 [countable]A something such as a painting, play, piece of music etc that is produced by a painter, writer, or musician 著作；〔艺术〕作品 the Collected Works of Shakespeare 《莎士比亚全集》 It is another accomplished work by the artist. 这是那位艺术家的又一杰作。 → work of art► see thesaurus at music7  activity 活动 [uncountable]WORK THAT somebody DOES when you use physical or mental effort in order to achieve something 〔花费体力或脑力做的〕事情；工作work on Work will start next month on a new swimming pool in the centre of the city. 下个月将于市中心动工兴建一座新游泳池。 Looking after children can be hard work. 照看孩子会非常辛苦。carry out/do work You should not allow unqualified people to carry out work on your house. 你不能让非专业人员来装潢你的房子。set to work/get down to work (=start work) 开始工作 He set to work immediately. 他立即开始工作。8  study 学习 [uncountable]WORK THAT somebody DOES study or research, especially for a particular purpose 〔尤指为某一目的进行的〕学习，研究carry out/do work The centre carries out work to monitor trends in housing management. 该中心开展研究以监测住房管理趋势。 He did his postgraduate work in Sociology. 他读研究生时学的是社会学。9  at work a) WORK/DO WORKdoing your job or a particular activity 在工作，在干活 He spent most of his time watching the fishermen at work. 他大部分时间都在观察渔民如何作业。 b) EFFECT/INFLUENCEhaving a particular influence or effect 有某种影响；起某种作用 Volcanoes display some of nature’s most powerful forces at work. 火山展示了大自然一些最强大的威力所产生的作用力。10  the (whole) works spokenALL/EVERYTHING used after mentioning several things, to emphasize that someone or something has everything you can think of 所有的东西，全部 The hotel had everything – sauna, swimming pool, the works. 这家酒店设施齐全——桑拿浴室、游泳池，应有尽有。11  nice work/quick work spokenPRAISE used to praise someone for doing something well or quickly 干得好/干得快 〔用于称赞某人〕 That was quick work! 干得真快！12  something is in the works/pipeline informal used to say that something is being planned or developed 某事在计划中；某事在筹备中 Upgrades to the existing software are in the works. 现有软件的升级版本正在开发中。13  works a) [plural]TBC activities involved in building or repairing things such as roads, bridges etc 〔道路、桥梁等修建〕工程engineering works/irrigation works/roadworks the official in charge of the engineering works 负责工程的官员 → public works b) [countable] (plural works)TIF a building or group of buildings in which goods are produced in large quantities or an industrial process happens 工厂ironworks/gasworks/cement etc works The brick works closed last year. 砖厂去年倒闭了。14. the works TEthe moving parts of a machine 〔机器的〕活动机件 SYN mechanism15  operation 手术 [uncountable] an operation to make you look younger or more attractive 整容手术 SYN cosmetic surgery All these celebrities have had work done. 这些名人都做过整容手术。16  have your work cut out (for you) informalDIFFICULT used to say that it will be very difficult to do something （某人）做某事很困难 The team will have their work cut out if they are to win the competition. 该队要想赢得比赛必将苦战一番。17  make short/light work of something to do something very quickly and easily 迅速/轻松地干完某事 A microwave oven can make light work of the cooking. 微波炉可以让烹饪变得简单容易。18  make heavy/hard work of something to do something with difficulty 辛苦地做某事 They made hard work of what should have been an easy game. 原本应该是很轻松的比赛，他们却打得非常艰苦。19  be a work in progress to not be finished or perfect yet 仍未完成，尚未完善 The garden is still very much a work in progress. 花园离完工还差得远呢。20. all work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy) used to say that you should not spend all your time working, but should spend some of your time relaxing 只工作不娱乐[只会干不会玩]（会把人变傻）21. force 力 [uncountable] technicalHP force multiplied by distance 〔物理学上的〕功 → be all in a day’s work at day(21), → do somebody’s dirty work at dirty1(8), → a nasty piece of work at nasty(7), → nice work if you can get it at nice(12) COLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 3verbsstart work 开始工作He started work as a trainee accountant. 他从会计实习生做起。look for work (also seek work formal) 找工作Young people come to town looking for work. 年轻人进城来找工作。find work (=get a job) 找到工作It was difficult for them to find work. 他们很难找到工作。return to work/go back to work 返回工作岗位His doctor agreed he was fit enough to return to work. 医生也认为他身体恢复的很不错，可以回去工作了。ADJECTIVES/NOUN + workpart-time work 兼职工作In recent years part-time work has become more popular. 近年来兼职工作越来越流行。full-time work 全职工作Are you available for full-time work? 你能干全职工作吗？paid work 拿薪酬的工作She hasn’t done any paid work since she had children. 她自从有了孩子以后就没做过任何有薪酬的工作。secretarial/clerical/office work 秘书/文书/办公室工作nI have a background in secretarial work.nShe had done clerical work before she married.legal work (=work done by lawyers) 法律工作nHe will handle all the legal work.manual work (=work done with your hands) 体力活nMost of them were employed in manual work.voluntary work British English, volunteer work American English (=a job you are not paid for) 志愿工作，义务工作nShe also did voluntary work in a girls’ club.somebody’s daily work (=the work someone does every day) 某人的日常工作nWhen they finished their daily work they would be too tired for much except rest.phrasessomebody’s line of work (=type of work) 某人的行业[行当]I meet lots of interesting people in my line of work. 我干这一行可以认识许多有趣的人。nthe work environmentIt is important to have a pleasant work environment.nwork practicesShe supported me enthusiastically in bringing in new work practices.  COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 7: when you use physical or mental effort in order to achieve something 〔花费体力或脑力做的〕事情；工作verbsncarry out workThe work should be carried out without further delay.ndo workHe was doing some work on his father’s car.set to/get to/get down to work (=start work) 开始工作nThey set to work cutting down trees and brushwood.nundertake workAbout a three adults in ten undertake voluntary work.nwork starts/beginsWork had already started on the bridge when the error was spotted.nwork continuesWork is continuing on three major building projects.nadjectiveshardIt’s been very hard work, but I’ve loved every moment of it.backbreaking (=very tiring)Clearing the garden was slow, backbreaking work.arduous (=needing a lot of effort)This was physically arduous work.heavy work (=hard physical work)The heavy work is done by the gardener.light work (=work that is not physically hard)He had been ill, but she found him some light work to do.

Examples from the Corpus

work• For this reason, parents are always welcome to see their children at work in our school.• Her mother tried to call her at home and then at work.• David tries to avoid work at all times.• Have you ever done bar work before?• Are you still involved in charity work?• He's doing construction work these days.• He eventually found work as a labourer on a construction site.• Finally, I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work this year.• She is surrounded by books and papers; her desk piled high with correspondence relating to her work.• Her later works reflected her growing depression.• I'm not doing any more work on the house this year, I can't be bothered.• His last few speeches had been awful, and he knew he had to put more work into them.• Who says museum work doesn't pay?• Handel's "Messiah" is one of the most majestic musical works ever written.• A major new work by one of Poland's leading film directors will be shown next Saturday.• A considerable amount of work was necessary to establish even this basic framework.• A quick change can be effected by using this additional experience to point to another type of work.• Rawls's work reaches somewhat different conclusions concerning justice and equality to that of Hayek.• 'Where's Dave?' 'He's outside, doing some work on the car, I think.'• He liked the work, and he was good at it too.• An opportunity was afforded when the council supported El Universal in its uncomplimentary evaluation of the work of the early independence leaders.• Being in the police isn't all action. Administration is a large part of the work we do.• His injuries have made it impossible for him to go back to work.• Alexander commutes 30 miles to work each day.• Could I ride with you to work tomorrow?• How do you like your work?out of work• Jean's been out of work for six months.• In some of the more desolate regions, half of the active population is out of work.• The number of people out of work and claiming benefit fell by 18,000 in August to 1,051,300.• Punishing the young Young people aged 18-24 years who remain out of work can lose benefits.• It is running out of working cash because it has £ 44m worth of books in stock.• Ron and Melanie found themselves out of work and deep in debt.• Naturally, most people thrown out of work do not like it and suffer psychological stress.• He was out of work for twelve months.• The money went for staffers who were out of work when the probe ended.at work• Danger! Men at work.• It's great seeing his diplomatic skills at work.• She's still at work. I'll ask her to call you when she gets home.starts work• In the mornings Elaine can not get up before 9am - which is when her care assistant starts work.• His committee starts work next week.• She starts work at eight-thirty with Blakelock.a piece of work• It was a triumph, as a piece of work.• Looking at a piece of work on the board Mrs Singh said she wanted her son to write like that.• This may be a piece of work offering straight forward short-term helping around obtaining a service.• It is an opportunity to experience at a practical level the pleasures of creating a piece of work or joining and dance.• Crude as Farley plays it, his endearing-blowfish persona is quite a piece of work.• The result is that a piece of work takes a long time to complete.• He took a piece of work with him to finish.• When a piece of work is late they enquire as to their prey's health, and mention an upcoming pay review.work on• Peter's in the kitchen working on his model airplanes.• Scales and finger exercises are the areas to work on if you want to improve your technique.• Your tennis playing is getting better, but you need to work on your serve.carry out/do work• Between 1390 and 1398 Lewyn was carrying out work at Finchale priory, subordinate to Durham Cathedral.From Longman Business Dictionaryworkwork1 /wɜːkwɜːrk/ verb1[intransitive] to do a job that you are paid forHarry is 78 and still working.Most of the people I went to school with work in factories.work forDavid works for a broadcasting company.work asShe works as a financial consultant.2[intransitive, transitive]HUMAN RESOURCES to do the activities or duties that are part of your jobSally isn’t working tomorrow.I’m tired of working ten-hour days.3[transitive]MARKETING to travel around a particular area as part of your job, especially in order to sell somethingMarkovitz works the Tri-State area.4[intransitive] to do an activity which needs time and effortWe had to work non-stop to get the book finished on time.5work somebody hard to make someone use a lot of time and effort in a job or activityThe company is famous for working its employees hard. 6[transitive] if you work a particular material such as metal, leather etc, you cut or shape it in order to make something7work the land/soilFARMING to do all the work necessary to grow crops on a piece of landOur family has worked this land for generations.8work a mineMANUFACTURING to remove a substance such as coal, gold, or oil from a mine9[intransitive] if a machine or piece of equipment works, it does what it is supposed to doIs the photocopier working now?10[transitive] to operate a machine or piece of equipmentThe check-out is slow, because only two clerks work the cash registers. 11[intransitive] if a method, plan, or system works, it produces the results you wantThe article gives a good understanding of how the pharmaceutical research process works.12[intransitive] if something such as a fact, situation, or system works in a particular way, it has a particular effect on somebody or somethingThe tax laws tend to work against small companies.13work an organization/system etc to know how to influence an organization etc in order to achieve somethingThose who advance in this environment are people with an instinct for securing supplies, cultivating connections and working the system.14work your way up if you work your way up, or work your way up in an organization, your jobs in it become more and more importantThey have spent their entire careers at the firm and worked their way up the ranks.15work to rule British English, work to contract American EnglishHUMAN RESOURCES to protest about a situation at work by doing your job less quickly or effectively than usual, but without breaking your employer’s rules or the terms of your contractThe staff are not on strike but are working to rule. → see also work-to-rule → work out→ See Verb tableworkwork2 noun [uncountable]1the job you are paid to do or an activity that you do regularly to earn moneyMy father started work when he was 14.The work was interesting and well paid.He eventually found work on a construction site.She’s been out of work (=not had a job) for almost a year now.He has been off work (=not working because of illness) for four weeks because of his wrist condition.Many women take part-time work while they are raising children.6.3 million people are working part time but would prefer full-time work. → casual work → piece work2a place where you do your job, which is not your homeHe left work at the usual time.Jo’s still at work.3HUMAN RESOURCESthe duties and activities that are part of your jobWhat kind of work are you looking for?A large part of the work we do involves using computers.I wouldn’t be very good at manual work (=hard physical work).4work in progress abbreviation WIP British English work or products that are in the process of being done or made, but are not yet finishedSome journals expect editors to retain responsibility for work in progress when they leave.5work in process abbreviation WIP American English work or products that are in the process of being done or made, but are not yet finished → see also worksOrigin work1 Old English wyrcan work2 Old English werc, weorc

work1 verb →10-19 →20-34
→n GRAMMAR1 →PHRASAL VERBS1work2 noun →10-21
→5 GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2 →COLLOCATIONS1 →COLLOCATIONS2LDOCE OnlineChinese  

Business a that job you do to Corpus

work

I

work¹ S1 W1 /wɜːk $ wɜːrk/ verb1.  DO A JOB FOR MONEY  [intransitive] to do a job that you are paid for:
    Where do you work?
    Many young people in the area have never worked.
    The injury means he’ll probably never work again.
    work for
    He works for a law firm.
    work at/in
    I work at the university.
    work as
    She works as a consultant for a design company.
    work in industry/education/publishing etc
    The studies were undertaken by people working in education.
    work part-time/full-time
    I work part-time in a library.
2.  DO YOUR JOB  [intransitive and transitive] to do the activities and duties that are part of your job:
    Sally isn’t working tomorrow.
    Staff will have to get used to a new way of working.
    work with
    One of the women I work with is getting married this weekend.
    work under somebody (=have someone who is in charge of you)
    Each site has a fully trained team who work under a site manager.
    work days/nights/weekends etc
    I get paid more if I work nights.
    We’re sometimes expected to work twelve-hour days.
    Are you working late (=working after the time you usually finish) again tonight?
    Forty police officers are working round the clock (=working day and night without stopping) to find Murray’s killer.
    Nowadays, many people are able to work from home.
3.  HELP  [intransitive] if you work with someone or a group of people, your job involves trying to help them
    work with/among
    She’s just retired after 38 years working with children.
    He has worked among some of the world’s poorest people.
4.  DO AN ACTIVITY  [intransitive] to spend time and effort doing something:
    I’ve been working in the garden all afternoon.
    I’m going to have to work really hard to pass these exams.
    We’re working together to develop a new system.
5.  TRY TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING  [intransitive] to try continuously to achieve a particular thing
    work towards
    They are working towards a solution to their problems.
    work for
    We will work for the release of the hostages.
    work to do something
    The police are working to provide more help for victims of crime.
    The company is working hard to improve its image.
    He worked tirelessly (=worked very hard in a determined way) for the charity throughout his life.
6.  MACHINE/EQUIPMENT
  a. [intransitive] if a machine or piece of equipment works, it does what it is supposed to do:
    You should check that the smoke alarm is working properly.
    The delete key doesn’t work.
    get something to work
    I can’t get the heater to work.
  b. [transitive] to make a machine or piece of equipment do what it is supposed to do:
    My parents can’t even work the video.
7.  BE EFFECTIVE/SUCCESSFUL  [intransitive] to be effective or successful:
    Making a marriage work can take a lot of effort.
    I’ve never found a diet that works.
    The recipe works just as well if you use margarine instead of butter.
    The cream works immediately to relieve sore skin.
    work for
    You need to find which method works best for you.
    work against
    a drug that works against some types of cancer
8.  HAVE AN EFFECT  [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if something such as a fact, situation, or system works in a particular way, it has a particular effect on someone or something:
    The arrangement works well for everyone involved.
    The French team are the heavier crew, which should work in their favour (=help them).
    Sexism still works against (=harms or causes problems for) women in many professions.
    Loyalty works both ways (=involves two opposite or matching effects): we are loyal to our employees and, in turn, they are loyal to us.
9.  ART/STYLE/LITERATURE  [intransitive] if a painting, design, piece of writing etc works, it is successful because it has the effect on you that the painter, writer etc intended:
    I don’t think the scene with the horses really works, do you?
    work for
    The colour combination just doesn’t work for me.
10.  SHAPE/CUT SOMETHING  [transitive] if you work a material such as metal, leather, or clay, you cut, sew, or shape it in order to make something
11.  USE A SUBSTANCE  [intransitive] to use a particular material or substance in order to make something such as a picture, design, jewellery etc
    work in/with
    a sculptor who works in steel
    a jeweller who works with silver
12. work your way to/through etc something
  a. to move somewhere slowly and with difficulty:
    From here, we worked our way carefully across the rock base.
  b. to achieve something gradually by working:
    He had worked his way up to head of department.
13. work your way through school/college/university etc to do a job while you are a student because you need the money to pay for your courses, books etc
14.  MOVE GRADUALLY  [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move into a particular state or position very gradually, either in a series of small movements or after a long time:
    Slowly he worked the screwdriver into the crack.
    work (its way) loose
    One of the screws must have worked loose.
15.  EXERCISE  [transitive] to use and exercise a muscle or part of your body:
    Swimming is a form of exercise that works every muscle in your body.
16.  MOVE  [intransitive and transitive] formal if a part of your body works or you work it, it moves:
    She was trembling and her mouth was working.
17.  WORK IN AN AREA  [transitive] if you work a particular area or type of place, you travel around the area for your job, or work in that type of place:
    Markowitz works the Tri-State area.
18. work the door to take tickets from people as they enter a club, theatre etc:
    Binns worked the door at various Manhattan clubs.
19.  ENTERTAIN A CROWD  [transitive] if an entertainer or politician works a crowd of people, they entertain them and get their interest or support:
    She really knew how to work a crowd.
20.  LAND/SOIL  [transitive] if you work the land, soil etc, you do all the work necessary to grow crops on it:
    He was left to work the farm alone.
21.  MINE  [transitive] to remove a substance such as coal, gold, or oil from under the ground
22. work like magic/work like a charm (also work a treat British English) to be very effective:
    a polish that works a treat on windows
23.  MIND/BRAIN  [intransitive] if your mind or brain is working, you are thinking or trying to solve a problem
24. work on the principle/assumption/basis etc that to base ideas, plans etc on a particular fact that you think is true:
    We’re working on the assumption that the conference will take place in Canada, as planned.
25. work yourself into a frenzy/panic/state etc to make yourself become very nervous, angry etc:
    He seemed to be working himself into a rage.
26. work it/things spoken to make arrangements for something to happen, especially by behaving in a clever or skilful way:
    We should try and work it so that we can all go together.
27. work the system to understand how a system works so that you can get advantages for yourself, often in a slightly dishonest way:
    Lynn could show the rest of us how to work the system.
28. work somebody hard (also work somebody into the ground informal) to make someone work very hard:
    The coach has been working us really hard this week.
    People have complained that they are being worked into the ground.
    work yourself into the ground
    I’ve worked myself into the ground setting up this interview.
29. work your fingers to the bone (also work your socks off informal) to work very hard
30. work your butt/ass/arse off not polite to work very hard
31.  CALCULATE  [transitive] American English formal to calculate the answer to a mathematical problem
32. work to rule British English to protest about a situation at work by doing your job slowly, with the excuse that you must obey all the rules exactly
33. It works for me spoken used to say that something is very suitable for you and does exactly what you wanted or expected:
    I meditate and do Yoga every day. It works for me and I think it could work for you too.
⇨ work wonders at wonder²(4), ⇨ work miracles at miracle(4), ⇨ work your magic at magic¹(5)
work around somebody/something (also work round somebody/something British English) phrasal verb
  to arrange or organize something so that you avoid problems that may stop you from doing something:
    John won’t be here on the 15th so we’ll have to work round that.
work around to something (also work round to something British English) phrasal verb
  to gradually mention a subject in a conversation or piece of writing, especially because it is embarrassing:
    You’ll have to work round to the subject gradually.
     
work at something phrasal verb
  to try hard to improve something or achieve something:
    Learning a language isn’t easy. You have to work at it.
    work at doing something
    couples who want to work at improving their relationship
work somebody/something in phrasal verb
  1. work something ↔ in (also work something into something) to include something in a speech, piece of writing, activity etc:
    He managed to work in a few references to his new book.
    Here are a few goodies you can work into your daily diet.
  2. work something ↔ in (also work something into something) to add one substance to another and mix them together in a very thorough way:
    Work the butter into the flour.
  3. American English spoken to arrange to meet someone, even though you are very busy
   SYN  fit somebody in British English:
    My schedule’s pretty full, but I think I can work you in.
work something ↔ off phrasal verb
  1. to get rid of something, especially a feeling such as anger, nervousness etc, by doing something that uses a lot of your energy:
    Walking is excellent for working off tension.
    I need to go and work off a few of these calories.
  2. to do a job for someone else because you owe them money or because they have helped you in the past:
    She hasn’t worked off her debts to me yet.
work on somebody/something phrasal verb
  1. to spend time working in order to produce or repair something:
    He has spent the last two years working on a book about childcare.
    Every weekend you see him working on his car.
  2. to try very hard to improve or achieve something:
    A trainer has been brought in to work on her fitness.
    work on doing something
    We need to work on ensuring that the children feel safe and confident.
  3. to try continuously to influence someone or persuade them to do something:
    You leave him to me. I’ll work on him.
work out phrasal verb
  1.  PLAN work something ↔ out to think carefully about how you are going to do something and plan a good way of doing it:
    UN negotiators have worked out a set of compromise proposals.
    work out what/where/how etc
    We need to work out how we’re going to get there.
    I had it all worked out (=had made very careful plans).
  2.  CALCULATE work something ↔ out to calculate an answer, amount, price etc:
    See if you can work this bill out.
    work out how much/how many etc
    We’ll have to work out how much food we’ll need for the party.
  3.  UNDERSTAND work something ↔ out especially British English to think about something and manage to understand it:
    The plot is very complicated – it’ll take you a while to work it out.
    work something out for yourself
    I’m sure you can work it out for yourself.
  4.  COST if a cost or amount works out at a particular figure, it is found to be that much when you calculate it
    work out at/to £10/$500 etc
    The bill works out at £15 each.
    work out expensive/cheap etc (=be expensive or cheap)
    If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive.
  5.  GET BETTER if a problem or complicated situation works out, it gradually gets better or gets solved:
    Things will work out, you’ll see.
    I hope it all works out for Gina and Andy.
    work itself out
    I’m sure everything will work itself out.
  6.  HAPPEN if a situation works out in a particular way, it happens in that way
   SYN  turn out
    work out well/badly
    Financially, things have worked out well for us.
  7.  EXERCISE to make your body fit and strong by doing exercises:
    He works out with weights twice a week. ⇨ workout
  8. I can’t work somebody out British English spoken used to say that you cannot understand what someone is really like or why they behave in the way they do:
    I couldn’t work her out at all.
  9. be worked out if a mine is worked out, all the coal, gold etc has been removed from it
work somebody over phrasal verb informal
  to attack someone by hitting them several times
work through phrasal verb
  1. work through something to deal with problems or unpleasant feelings:
    After someone dies, it can take a long time to work through your grief.
  2. if the result or effect of something works through, it becomes noticeable:
    The positive effect on businesses may take up to three years to work through.
work up phrasal verb
  1. work up enthusiasm/interest/courage etc to make yourself feel interested, brave etc:
    I’m trying to work up enough courage to go to the dentist.
  2. work up an appetite/a thirst/a sweat to make yourself hungry or thirsty, or make yourself sweat, especially by doing physical exercise:
    You can work up a really big thirst playing tennis.
  3. work somebody up to make someone very angry, excited, or upset about something
    work yourself up
    You’re working yourself up again.
    She had worked herself up into a state. ⇨ worked up
  4. work something ↔ up to develop and improve something such as a project or a piece of writing:
    Jack took notes which he would work up into a report later.
work up to something phrasal verb
  to gradually prepare yourself to do something difficult
    work up to doing something
    He’d been working up to asking her for a date all week.

II

work² S1 W1 noun1.  JOB  [uncountable] a job or activity that you do regularly, especially in order to earn money ⇨ employment:
    There isn’t a lot of work at this time of the year.
    He’s been out of work (=without a job) for two years.
    More people are in work (=have a job) than ten years ago.
    before/after work (=before a day of work or at the end of a day of work)
    Do you want to go for a drink after work?
  GRAMMAR
    In this meaning, work is an uncountable noun. Do not say 'a work'. Say work or a job:
   ▪ It may be difficult for older people to obtain paid work.
   ▪ I applied for a job (NOT a work) as a reporter.
2.  PLACE  [uncountable] a place where you do your job, which is not your home:
    I had an accident on the way to work.
    He left work at the usual time.
    I went out with the girls from work last night.
    at work
    Dad’s at work right now.
3.  DUTIES  [uncountable] the duties and activities that are part of your job:
    A large part of the work we do involves using computers.
    He starts work at 4 am.
    He’s started a business doing gardening and roofing work.
4.  RESULT  [uncountable] something that you produce as a result of doing your job or doing an activity:
    Send a résumé and examples of your work.
    The building is the work of architect Rafael Moneo.
    The teacher should make sure that each child has a piece of work displayed on the wall.
    The standard of work has declined.
5.  PAPERS ETC  [uncountable] the papers and other materials you need for doing work:
    Can you move some of your work off the kitchen table?
    I often have to take work home with me.
6.  BOOK/PAINTING/MUSIC  [countable] something such as a painting, play, piece of music etc that is produced by a painter, writer, or musician:
    the Collected Works of Shakespeare
    It is another accomplished work by the artist. ⇨ work of art
7.  ACTIVITY  [uncountable] when you use physical or mental effort in order to achieve something
    work on
    Work will start next month on a new swimming pool in the centre of the city.
    Looking after children can be hard work.
    carry out/do work
    You should not allow unqualified people to carry out work on your house.
    set to work/get down to work (=start work)
    He set to work immediately.
8.  STUDY  [uncountable] study or research, especially for a particular purpose
    carry out/do work
    The centre carries out work to monitor trends in housing management.
    He did his postgraduate work in Sociology.
9. at work
  a. doing your job or a particular activity:
    He spent most of his time watching the fishermen at work.
  b. having a particular influence or effect:
    Volcanoes display some of nature’s most powerful forces at work.
10. the (whole) works spoken used after mentioning several things, to emphasize that someone or something has everything you can think of:
    The hotel had everything – sauna, swimming pool, the works.
11. nice work/quick work spoken used to praise someone for doing something well or quickly:
    That was quick work__
12. something is in the works/pipeline informal used to say that something is being planned or developed:
    Upgrades to the existing software are in the works.
13. works
  a. [plural] activities involved in building or repairing things such as roads, bridges etc
    engineering works/irrigation works/roadworks
    the official in charge of the engineering works ⇨ public works
  b. [countable] (plural works) a building or group of buildings in which goods are produced in large quantities or an industrial process happens
    ironworks/gasworks/cement works
    The brick works closed last year.
14. the works the moving parts of a machine
   SYN  mechanism
15.  OPERATION  [uncountable] an operation to make you look younger or more attractive
   SYN  cosmetic surgery:
    All these celebrities have had work done.
16. have your work cut out (for you) informal used to say that it will be very difficult to do something:
    The team will have their work cut out if they are to win the competition.
17. make short/light work of something to do something very quickly and easily:
    A microwave oven can make light work of the cooking.
18. make heavy/hard work of something to do something with difficulty:
    They made hard work of what should have been an easy game.
19. be a work in progress to not be finished or perfect yet:
    The garden is still very much a work in progress.
20. all work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy) used to say that you should not spend all your time working, but should spend some of your time relaxing
21.  FORCE  [uncountable] technical force multiplied by distance
⇨ be all in a day’s work at day(21), ⇨ do sb’s dirty work at dirty¹(8), ⇨ a nasty piece of work at nasty(7), ⇨ nice work if you can get it at nice(12)
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meanings 1 & 3)

■ verbs
   ▪ start work He started work as a trainee accountant.
   ▪ look for work (also seek work formal) Young people come to town looking for work.
   ▪ find work (=get a job) It was difficult for them to find work.
   ▪ return to work/go back to work His doctor agreed he was fit enough to return to work.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + work
   ▪ part-time work In recent years part-time work has become more popular.
   ▪ full-time work Are you available for full-time work?
   ▪ paid work She hasn’t done any paid work since she had children.
   ▪ secretarial/clerical/office work I have a background in secretarial work. | She had done clerical work before she married.
   ▪ legal work (=work done by lawyers) He will handle all the legal work.
   ▪ manual work (=work done with your hands) Most of them were employed in manual work.
   ▪ voluntary work British English, volunteer work American English (=a job you are not paid for) She also did voluntary work in a girls’ club.
   ▪ sb’s daily work (=the work someone does every day) When they finished their daily work they would be too tired for much except rest.
■ phrases
   ▪ sb’s line of work (=type of work) I meet lots of interesting people in my line of work.
   ▪ the work environment It is important to have a pleasant work environment.
   ▪ work practices She supported me enthusiastically in bringing in new work practices.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 7)

■ verbs
   ▪ carry out work The work should be carried out without further delay.
   ▪ do work He was doing some work on his father’s car.
   ▪ set to/get to/get down to work (=start work) They set to work cutting down trees and brushwood.
   ▪ undertake work About a three adults in ten undertake voluntary work.
   ▪ work starts/begins Work had already started on the bridge when the error was spotted.
   ▪ work continues Work is continuing on three major building projects.
■ adjectives
   ▪ hard It’s been very hard work, but I’ve loved every moment of it.
   ▪ backbreaking (=very tiring) Clearing the garden was slow, backbreaking work.
   ▪ arduous (=needing a lot of effort) This was physically arduous work.
   ▪ heavy work (=hard physical work) The heavy work is done by the gardener.
   ▪ light work (=work that is not physically hard) He had been ill, but she found him some light work to do.