work
work — verb
1. if a plan, method, medicine, or piece of advice works, it produces the result th
if a plan, method, medicine, or piece of advice works, it produces the result that people wanted or expected it to produce.
The new sales strategy worked well and the company reached its target.
collocation: work well
Vikram tried a different cough medicine, but it still did not work.
Gabriel's idea of offering a discount worked better than the old pricing plan.
work + comparative: better than
Christopher's plan for the festival worked because the whole team helped.
Dr. Patel found that the allergy treatment worked best when Aisha took the medicine every morning.
work best when + clause
- work well
- work best
- work perfectly
- work against
- work in your favour
- work for someone
- succeed
more general; 'succeed' can describe achieving a goal, while 'work' focuses on whether a specific method or plan gives the expected result.
- function
more neutral; used mainly for machines or systems rather than plans or methods.
- pay off
informal; emphasises that the effort or risk was worthwhile.
- fail
the direct opposite when something does not produce the expected outcome.
Grammar Patterns
work
work well/best
work for/against [someone]
Common Mistakes
2. to spend time doing a job or task, usually in order to earn money.
to spend time doing a job or task, usually in order to earn money.
Eleni works as a nurse at the city hospital.
work as [job title]
My father works for a small software company in Taipei.
work for [company]
Haruto works very hard and often stays at the office late.
collocation: work hard
Nia has worked part-time at the library since she was a student.
work + [hours pattern]: part-time
Many people in this town work in the fishing industry.
- work hard
- work full-time
- work part-time
- work as
- work for
- work at
- work in
- be employed
more formal; often used in official or written contexts.
- have a job
less common in everyday speech but natural in questions like 'Do you have a job?'
- be unemployed
describes the state of not having paid work.
- be retired
describes someone who has stopped working, usually because of age.
Grammar Patterns
work + as + job
work + for/in/at + place
work + adverb (hard, full-time)
Usage Note
In this sense, 'work' is never used with a direct object. To say what type of job someone has, use 'work as + job title'. To say where, use 'work for + organisation' or 'work in/at + place.'
Common Mistakes
3. the particular building, room, or area where someone does their job — for exampl
the particular building, room, or area where someone does their job — for example, an office, a home office, or a shared workshop.
Cyrus works from a small home office three days a week.
work from [location]
The team works out of a shared workshop behind the train station.
work out of [location]
Justin used to work in a tall office building in the city centre.
Niran works on a fishing boat that goes out into the North Sea.
work on [vehicle/ship]
- work from home
- work out of
- work in
- work at
- work on site
- work remotely
Grammar Patterns
work + in/at/from/out of + location
Usage Note
This sense focuses on the physical or geographical place where the job happens. It always requires a location phrase — 'work at/from/in/out of/on + [place]'. Without a location, the sentence sounds incomplete under this sense.
4. when you work a person, animal, or piece of equipment, you cause them to do a jo
when you work a person, animal, or piece of equipment, you cause them to do a job, often for a long period or with a lot of effort.
The farmer worked his horses from sunrise until sunset.
work [animal] + time phrase
Pim worked the printing press all afternoon to finish the wedding invitations by Friday.
The coach worked the players very hard during the week before the match.
work [people] hard / very hard
Gabriel worked himself to the point of exhaustion before the deadline.
work [oneself] + to + [state]
- work someone hard
- work yourself to death
- work someone into the ground
- work an animal
Grammar Patterns
work + someone/something + adverb
work + someone/something + to + infinitive
Usage Note
Frequently passive: 'The staff were worked very hard.' The object is usually a person or animal that is being made to labour, not a machine performing a task.
Common Mistakes
5. used about equipment or tools: if a piece of equipment works, it runs as it shou
used about equipment or tools: if a piece of equipment works, it runs as it should; if you work a piece of equipment, you control how it runs, for instance by pressing buttons or turning switches.
The elevator is not working, so we will have to use the stairs.
Iris showed the new employee how to work the coffee machine.
transitive: work [machine]
The furnace in the Watanabes' house works by burning wood pellets.
work by + [method/process]
Manuela checked the printer, but it still would not work properly.
Do you know how to work this old film projector in the classroom?
transitive: how to work [device]
- not working
- working properly
- working correctly
- how to work
- work by
- break
intransitive; describes a machine that stops working, often suddenly.
- malfunction
formal; describes a machine not working correctly.
Grammar Patterns
[machine] works (intransitive)
work + [machine/device] (transitive)
Usage Note
Both transitive and intransitive uses are equally common. The intransitive use ('the machine works') focuses on the machine's condition. The transitive use ('work the controls') is about human operation. The negative form 'does not work' is especially common for reporting malfunctions.
Common Mistakes
6. to gradually reach a different state or position, usually through continuing eff
to gradually reach a different state or position, usually through continuing effort or repeated small movements — for example, a screw working itself loose, or someone working their way up in a company.
The screws on the chair had worked loose over several months.
work + adjective: work loose
Cyrus worked his way up from delivery driver to regional manager.
work one's way up (career)
The rope slowly worked itself free from the metal hook.
work oneself/itself + adjective
Eleni worked herself into a very strong position within the company.
work oneself into [position/state]
The stone in her shoe worked its way down towards her heel as she walked.
- work loose
- work free
- work one's way up
- work one's way through
- work yourself into
- move gradually
more literal; describes physical shifting without the sense of effort.
- progress
abstract; used for career or personal advancement.
- shift
neutral; describes small movements without specifying the cause.
Grammar Patterns
work + adjective
work + adverb/preposition phrase
work + oneself + into/out of + state
work + object + adjective
Usage Note
Common patterns: 'work + adjective' (work loose, work free), 'work one's way + adverb/preposition' (work one's way up, work one's way through), and 'work + reflexive pronoun + into/out of + state' (work yourself into a corner). The sense always implies a gradual process, not an instant change.
7. to cause a particular result by using personal influence or unofficial methods,
to cause a particular result by using personal influence or unofficial methods, rather than following the official system
Daichi worked it so that he could take Friday off without using his holiday allowance.
work + it + that-clause for arranging indirectly
The lobbyist knew how to work the politicians to get the new law passed.
Antonia worked her connections at the newspaper to get her story published.
work + connections/network for using influence
Imran worked the room at the party, chatting with everyone who mattered.
work + the room — informal, social manipulation
- work it
- work the system
- work a room
- work connections
- work on someone
- arrange
more neutral — work implies cleverness or indirection
- manipulate
more negative, suggests dishonest control
- contrive
more formal, suggests careful planning
Grammar Patterns
work + it + that-clause
work + object + to-infinitive
work + on + person
Usage Note
Often used in informal contexts. The pattern 'work it + that-clause' is common when describing an outcome arranged through clever, indirect means.
Common Mistakes
8. to press, hit, stretch, or cut a solid material such as clay, metal, wood, or do
to press, hit, stretch, or cut a solid material such as clay, metal, wood, or dough so that it takes a particular shape
Kemi worked the clay into a smooth bowl on the potter's wheel.
work + material + into + shape
Élise worked the dough until it became soft and elastic.
work + dough — kneading meaning
The farmer worked the soil before planting the seeds.
Stefan worked the metal into a fine, curved blade.
work + metal — shaping by hammering
- work clay
- work dough
- work metal
- work leather
- work the soil
- work into a shape
Grammar Patterns
work + material + into + form
Usage Note
The object is typically a solid, malleable material. The resulting form is introduced by 'into' (e.g., 'work the clay into a bowl').
Common Mistakes
9. to put sustained mental or physical effort into achieving something or solving a
to put sustained mental or physical effort into achieving something or solving a problem
Lucía worked hard to improve her Spanish before the trip to Mexico City.
work + hard + to-infinitive — sustained effort
The team worked on the problem for three hours before finding the mistake.
work + on + problem/task
Cyrus worked towards a promotion by arriving early and staying late.
work + towards + goal
Devika worked her way through college by waiting tables at night.
work + one's way + through — overcoming obstacles
Maeve worked through the entire data report, checking each figure against the original invoices.
work through [document] — sustained effort
- work hard
- work on a problem
- work towards a goal
- work one's way
Grammar Patterns
work + on + task/problem
work + towards + goal
work + one's way + through/across
Usage Note
Frequently followed by 'on' (the task) or 'towards' (the goal). 'Work one's way' describes achieving something through sustained effort despite difficulties.
Common Mistakes
work something out
phrasal verbto find the answer to a problem, question, or difficult situation, often by thinking carefully.
Cyrus sat down with a pen and paper to work out the maths problem.
The two managers met to work out a fair schedule for the whole team.
work on something
phrasal verbto spend time and effort trying to improve something or achieve a goal.
Pim is working on a new design for the company website.
The team has been working on the problem for three weeks without a break.
work around
phrasal verbTo find a way to avoid a problem or obstacle.
We worked around the broken machine by using a backup.
Diego worked around the traffic jam by taking a side road.
work around to
phrasal verbTo gradually begin to discuss or deal with a topic after avoiding it.
Maya finally worked around to asking for a raise.
He worked around to the subject of their vacation plans.
work at
phrasal verbTo put effort into improving or achieving something.
Min works at his Spanish every evening for an hour.
She is working at building a stronger team.
work in
phrasal verbTo include something or find time for it in a schedule.
Aiden worked in a quick nap between meetings.
Can you work in a visit to the museum during our trip?
work into
phrasal verbTo gradually add something into a mixture or situation.
Sara worked the butter into the flour with her fingers.
He worked a joke into his serious speech.
work off
phrasal verbTo get rid of something, especially energy or debt, by doing physical activity or work.
Diego worked off his anger by running five miles.
She worked off her student loan by taking extra shifts.
work on
phrasal verbTo spend time trying to improve or repair something.
Min is working on a new painting for the exhibition.
The mechanic worked on my car for three hours.
work out
phrasal verbTo exercise to improve physical fitness, or to solve a problem or plan something.
Maya works out at the gym every morning.
We need to work out a schedule for the project.
work over
phrasal verbTo attack or beat someone violently.
The thugs worked him over and left him on the street.
They worked over the witness to keep him quiet.
work round to
phrasal verbSame as 'work around to' — to gradually begin to discuss or deal with a topic.
Brian worked round to the idea of moving abroad.
She worked round to apologizing for her mistake.
work to
phrasal verbTo follow a plan, schedule, or set of rules strictly.
The team worked to a tight deadline to finish the project.
We must work to the budget approved by management.
work towards
phrasal verbTo make efforts to achieve a particular goal over time.
Sara is working towards a degree in engineering.
They worked towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
work up
phrasal verbTo develop or increase something gradually, or to prepare something.
Min worked up the courage to ask for a promotion.
She worked up a sweat by doing jumping jacks.
work up into
phrasal verbTo cause someone to become very excited, angry, or upset.
The speech worked the crowd up into a frenzy.
Don't work yourself up into a state over nothing.
work up to
phrasal verbTo gradually increase effort or intensity until reaching a higher level.
Diego worked up to running ten kilometers a day.
She worked up to the most difficult piano piece.
work like a charm
idiomto work perfectly and cause the desired result with no problems.
The new software worked like a charm and saved the team hours of work.
Niran's suggestion to use a larger font worked like a charm on the website.
work it/things
idiomTo cleverly arrange a situation to get a desired result.
Sara worked it so that she could leave early on Friday.
Can you work things so that we get the best seats?
work — noun
1. something that you do using your body or mind, usually in order to earn money fo
something that you do using your body or mind, usually in order to earn money for living
Pim found a part-time job at a café and starts work at eight every morning.
uncountable: work as general activity
After a long day at work, Léa takes a hot bath and reads.
Folake's work as a nurse requires her to stand for many hours at a time.
collocation: work as [role/occupation]
Mira gets paid for the work she does at the library every Saturday morning.
Kemi found that teaching English is hard work but very satisfying.
collocation: hard work
- hard work
- work as a [role]
- part-time work
- work experience
- get paid for work
- labour
more physical or manual work, often hard
- employment
more formal; focuses on the state of having a paid job
- duty
focuses on what you are required to do, not necessarily paid
Usage Note
Always uncountable in this sense. Do not say 'a work' to mean a job — use 'a job' instead ('I found a job', not 'I found a work').
Common Mistakes
2. the documents, files, or other materials that someone handles or produces while
the documents, files, or other materials that someone handles or produces while doing their job
Stefan brought his project files home and spread the work across the kitchen table.
uncountable: work = materials/tasks
Reuben organized his work into separate folders for each of his clients.
The accountant checked her team's work carefully before sending it to the manager.
possessive: someone's work (materials)
Sumin left her completed work on the desk for review the next day.
- take work home
- check someone's work
- finish your work
- bring work with you
- tasks
more specific; refers to individual items of work
- assignments
tasks given to someone, common in educational contexts
Common Mistakes
3. the building or office where someone does their paid job each day
the building or office where someone does their paid job each day
Mira takes about forty minutes to drive to work every morning.
collocation: drive to work
Paul cycles to work unless there is a heavy rain storm.
Joaquín left his phone at work and had to go back to get it.
collocation: at work (location)
A new security guard at work checks everyone's ID before they enter the building.
- at work
- to work
- from work
- leave for work
- get to work
4. something produced by a person through creative effort, such as a novel, a paint
something produced by a person through creative effort, such as a novel, a painting, or a musical composition
This landscape is one of Van Gogh's best-known works from his later years.
countable: a work / works (artistic)
The gallery displayed early works by a young painter from São Paulo.
Samir's latest work is a series of photographs taken in the desert at sunrise.
possessive: latest work (creative output)
Scholars have studied the complete works of Shakespeare for many centuries.
collocation: the complete works of [author]
- a work of art
- a work of fiction
- complete works
- early works
- latest work
- literary works
Usage Note
In this sense 'work' is countable. 'A work' = one piece; 'works' = multiple pieces or all the pieces by one artist or writer.
Common Mistakes
5. a medical operation performed to change a person's appearance, rather than to tr
a medical operation performed to change a person's appearance, rather than to treat an illness or injury
After years of thought, Roya's aunt decided to get work done on her chin.
collocation: get work done (cosmetic procedure)
The clinic offers several types of facial work to reduce the signs of aging.
Many athletes choose to get cosmetic work done after losing a large amount of weight.
domain: cosmetic work
Dr. Chen warned that some kinds of facial work can require weeks of recovery time.
- get work done
- cosmetic work
- facial work
- dental work
- have work done
6. the widest possible range of options, extras, or services that can be chosen for
the widest possible range of options, extras, or services that can be chosen for a single purchase, meal, or package.
The wedding dinner came with the works: fine wine, live music, and five courses.
phrase: with the works = everything included
When Zayd bought a new computer, he ordered the works including extra memory and software.
The hotel spa package offers the works — a massage, facial, and hot stone bath.
phrase: the works = full treatment
For the graduation dinner, Gabriela ordered a pizza with the works and extra cheese.
- the works
- with the works
- come with the works
- order the works
- everything
literal meaning; less idiomatic
- the full package
similar meaning, slightly less common
Usage Note
Always used in the fixed phrase 'the works'. Common with verbs like 'have', 'get', 'order', and 'come with'.
7. a large building or group of buildings where products are made using machines an
a large building or group of buildings where products are made using machines and many people work there
The steel works near the river employed three hundred local people.
often used in plural: steel works, gas works, etc.
Lakan started working at the brick works after he finished school.
The old gas works has been turned into a modern art gallery.
common pattern: [product/material] + works
Élise visited the abandoned textile works to take photographs for her project.
The cement works outside town released fine white dust into the air.
- steel works
- iron works
- gas works
- brick works
- cement works
- textile works
- chemical works
- factory
the general everyday term for any industrial building; 'work/works' is more specific to heavy industry like steel, iron, gas
- plant
common in American English; often refers to a factory with complex machinery and power equipment
- mill
specifically for processing raw materials such as paper, steel, or textiles through grinding or rolling
Usage Note
In this meaning, 'works' is often treated as a singular noun even though it ends in -s. For example: 'The steel works is closing down.' This usage is more common in British English; American English often uses 'plant' or 'factory' instead.
Common Mistakes
8. the moving parts inside a machine or clock that enable it to operate
the moving parts inside a machine or clock that enable it to operate
The clockmaker carefully oiled the work of the antique grandfather clock.
usually used as 'the work of [a machine/device]'
Ryan listened to the work of the engine to check whether anything was loose.
Dust had got into the work of the sewing machine and was slowing it down.
collocation: the work of [machine type]
The delicate inner work of the watch was made of tiny brass wheels and springs.
collocation: inner work / delicate work
When the work of the pump jammed, the entire water system stopped working.
- the work of [machine]
- inner work
- delicate work
- the work jammed
- the work seized up
Usage Note
Often preceded by 'the' and followed by 'of' to specify the machine: 'the work of the clock', 'the inner work of the engine'. This sense is typically used for mechanical devices with visible moving parts, such as clocks, watches, and engines.
Common Mistakes
9. in physics, the amount of energy transferred when a force moves an object over a
in physics, the amount of energy transferred when a force moves an object over a certain distance
Yuki calculated the work needed to push a delivery cart two hundred metres across the warehouse floor.
formula: work = force × distance
The students calculated the work needed to lift the fifty-kilogram crate onto the platform.
Luis pushed the broken-down car with all his strength, but no work was done because it did not move.
key principle: no movement = no work
Meera measured the work required to pull the sled across the icy ground in joules.
The pump does two thousand joules of work per minute to lift well water.
collocation: [number] joules of work
- do work
- no work is done
- joules of work
- calculate the work
- work required
- work done by [force]
Usage Note
This is a technical term with a precise mathematical definition. It is distinct from the everyday sense of 'work' (effort or job). In physics problems, the symbol W is commonly used. The SI unit of work is the joule (J).
Common Mistakes
all in a day's work
idiomsomething that is a normal part of your job or daily routine, even if it seems difficult or unusual to other people
For a firefighter, rescuing a frightened cat from a tall tree is all in a day's work.
The pilot told the nervous passengers that flying through storms is all in a day's work for him.
to face a very difficult task that will require a lot of effort to complete successfully
The new teacher has her work cut out with a class of thirty lively seven-year-olds.
The small team has its work cut out finishing the project before the winter holidays.
make short work of
idiomto deal with, eat, or finish something very quickly and easily
The hungry children made short work of the entire pizza in under five minutes.
The experienced programmer made short work of the software bug that had troubled the team.
the works
idiomall the extra features, toppings, or services that are available for something
For his birthday dinner, Henry ordered a steak with the works: fries, salad, and dessert.
The luxury car comes with the works — leather seats, a sunroof, and a premium sound system.
work — adjective
1. designed or intended to be worn while doing your job, usually for practical or p
designed or intended to be worn while doing your job, usually for practical or protective reasons
Roya put on her work boots before heading to the construction site.
work + boots (footwear for manual jobs)
The company provides work shirts and trousers for all its mechanics.
Jack's work apron has deep pockets for carrying tools around the workshop.
work + apron (protective clothing)
These work gloves are made of strong leather to protect your hands.
Putri bought a new pair of work shoes for her long shifts at the hospital.
work + shoes (protective footwear)
- work boots
- work clothes
- work shirt
- work gloves
- work apron
- work shoes
- work trousers
- work jacket
- work uniform
Grammar Patterns
work + noun (clothing/footwear)
Usage Note
Always placed before a noun. Not used in comparative or superlative forms. Common in compound nouns that name protective or practical clothing for a specific trade or activity.
Common Mistakes
2. relating to a tool, space, service, or document that is used for your job rather
relating to a tool, space, service, or document that is used for your job rather than for personal life
The library has a quiet work area with desks and lamps for visitors.
work + area (dedicated space)
Ryo keeps a separate work phone so he does not take calls after hours.
The hotel offers a work desk and free internet in every room.
work + desk / work + area
Christopher needs a work visa before he can start his new position.
The whole office uses the same work email system for all messages.
work + email (professional service)
- work phone
- work computer
- work visa
- work area
- work desk
- work email
- work space
- work surface
- work permit
- business
more formal; used for official or commercial purposes (business trip, business email)
- professional
emphasises a higher level of training or qualification rather than simply being job-related
- office
specifically refers to things used in an office setting (office phone, office supplies)
Grammar Patterns
work + noun (equipment/space/service)
Usage Note
Always placed before a noun. This sense draws a contrast between professional and personal use — a work phone is for job calls, not personal calls. Common in business and travel contexts.
Common Mistakes
3. connected to a person's job or the duties they perform at their workplace
connected to a person's job or the duties they perform at their workplace
Élise has a meeting with her work colleagues every Monday morning.
work + colleagues (people you work with)
Owen invited some of his work friends to his birthday party.
The new training programme is designed to improve work performance.
work + performance (job-related quality)
Renata keeps a separate bag for her work documents and laptop.
The company organised a team-building event for all work staff.
work + staff (employees collectively)
- work colleague
- work friend
- work performance
- work staff
- work experience
- work documents
- work relationship
- work environment
- work schedule
- job-related
slightly more explicit; often used in formal or legal contexts
- occupational
more formal; used in safety, health, or training contexts (occupational hazard, occupational therapy)
- professional
emphasises standards or qualifications rather than simply being connected to a job
Grammar Patterns
work + noun (person/quality/activity)
Usage Note
Always placed before a noun. Overlaps partly with sense 2, but sense 3 focuses on people, relationships, and abstract qualities, while sense 2 focuses on physical tools and spaces. For concrete items used for the job (work phone, work desk), use sense 2. For people and concepts (work colleague, work performance), use this sense.
Common Mistakes
work — suffix
1. added to a noun to form a compound that refers to a particular type of work or s
added to a noun to form a compound that refers to a particular type of work or set of tasks — for example, homework (schoolwork done at home), housework (daily cleaning and cooking tasks), or paperwork (written tasks in an office).
Darius finished his homework before dinner and went out to play football.
compound: homework = schoolwork at home
The family shares the housework, so no one person does all the cleaning.
compound: housework = domestic tasks
Applying for a visa involves a huge amount of paperwork.
The research team spent three months doing fieldwork in the mountains of Nepal.
compound: fieldwork = practical research outside a lab
- do + homework
- do + housework
- handle + paperwork
- carry out + fieldwork
Grammar Patterns
[noun] + -work forms a compound uncountable noun
Usage Note
The suffix -work attaches to a preceding noun to form a single compound word (e.g. homework, housework). These compounds are uncountable in standard English — you cannot say 'a homework' or 'homeworks'.
Common Mistakes
2. added to the name of a material to form a compound that refers to the skill or a
added to the name of a material to form a compound that refers to the skill or activity of working with that material — for example, woodwork (making things from wood), metalwork (shaping metal), or needlework (sewing and embroidery).
Heather learned needlework from her grandmother and now makes her own clothes.
compound: needlework = sewing / embroidery skill
The school offers classes in metalwork, ceramics, and jewellery design.
Lukas took up woodwork as a hobby and built a bookshelf for his daughter.
compound: woodwork = craft of working with wood
Rodrigo learned leatherwork in prison and now sells handmade belts and wallets.
compound: leatherwork = craft of working with leather
- learn + needlework
- teach + metalwork
- take up + woodwork
- class in + [craft]work
- craft
broader term for any skilled handmade activity, not limited to working with a specific material
- handicraft
more formal; emphasises the handmade nature of the work
Grammar Patterns
[material noun] + -work forms a compound uncountable noun describing a craft
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3 (MATERIAL OBJECTS): this sense describes the craft, activity, or skill, while sense 3 describes the finished objects made from the material. For example, 'She loves needlework' (the activity) versus 'The needlework on the cushion is beautiful' (the finished result).
Common Mistakes
3. added to the name of a material to form a compound that refers to things made fr
added to the name of a material to form a compound that refers to things made from that material — for example, ironwork (gates, railings, or decorations made of iron), stonework (walls or carvings made of stone), or brickwork (a wall or building made of bricks).
The old bridge has elegant ironwork that was hand-forged in the 1800s.
compound: ironwork = objects made from iron
The stonework on the cathedral walls shows detailed carvings of flowers.
Cracks in the brickwork can let rainwater into the house.
compound: brickwork = structure made of bricks
The plasterwork on the ceiling has delicate patterns of leaves and vines.
compound: plasterwork = decorative structure made of plaster
- decorative + ironwork
- cracks in the + brickwork
- carved + stonework
- detailed + [material]work
Grammar Patterns
[material noun] + -work forms a compound uncountable noun for made objects
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2 (CRAFT SKILL): this sense refers to the finished objects or structures, not the activity of making them. The subject is typically a building, gate, wall, or decorative feature, and the compound noun refers to the visible material work.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Work is the most general term for any effort, paid or unpaid, physical or mental. Labor emphasises hard physical effort and is often used in political or economic contexts (e.g., 'the labour movement'). Job refers to a specific paid position or task — it is countable ('a job', 'a good job'), whereas work is uncountable ('work' not 'a work') in this sense. Employment is formal and focuses on the contractual state of having paid work; it is preferred on official forms or in legal contexts. Toil implies long, tiring, and difficult work, often with a negative or pitying tone. In everyday speech, work and job are most common, while each synonym occupies a distinct register: labor (formal/social), employment (administrative), toil (literary/emphatic).
Common collocations
Etymology
Work comes from Old English weorc (noun) and wyrcan (verb), both from Proto-Germanic *werką and *wurkijaną, meaning 'something done' or 'to labour'. These Germanic roots trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *wérǵom ('work, deed'), which also gave Greek érgon ('work') — the source of English 'energy' and 'ergonomics'. The core meaning of 'effort directed toward a goal' has remained stable for over a thousand years, while the word has developed many specialised senses in industry, art, physics, and everyday life.