workings Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the internal mechanism of a device
    works.
  2. noun a mine or quarry that is being or has been worked
    working.
  3. verb exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
    work.
    • I will work hard to improve my grades
    • she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor
  4. verb be employed
    do work; work.
    • Is your husband working again?
    • My wife never worked
    • Do you want to work after the age of 60?
    • She never did any work because she inherited a lot of money
    • She works as a waitress to put herself through college
  5. verb have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
    work; act.
    • The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
    • How does your idea work in practice?
    • This method doesn't work
    • The breaks of my new car act quickly
    • The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
  6. verb perform as expected when applied
    function; go; work; run; operate.
    • The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in
    • Does this old car still run well?
    • This old radio doesn't work anymore
  7. verb shape, form, or improve a material
    process; work on; work.
    • work stone into tools
    • process iron
    • work the metal
  8. verb give a workout to
    work; work out; exercise.
    • Some parents exercise their infants
    • My personal trainer works me hard
    • work one's muscles
    • this puzzle will exercise your mind
  9. verb proceed along a path
    make; work.
    • work one's way through the crowd
    • make one's way into the forest
  10. verb operate in a certain place, area, or specialty
    work.
    • She works the night clubs
    • The salesman works the Midwest
    • This artist works mostly in acrylics
  11. verb proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity
    work.
    • work your way through every problem or task
    • She was working on her second martini when the guests arrived
    • Start from the bottom and work towards the top
  12. verb move in an agitated manner
    work.
    • His fingers worked with tension
  13. verb cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
    bring; play; work; wreak; make for.
    • I cannot work a miracle
    • wreak havoc
    • bring comments
    • play a joke
    • The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
  14. verb cause to work
    work; put to work.
    • he is working his servants hard
  15. verb prepare for crops
    cultivate; work; crop.
    • Work the soil
    • cultivate the land
  16. verb behave in a certain way when handled
    work.
    • This dough does not work easily
    • The soft metal works well
  17. verb have and exert influence or effect
    work; influence; act upon.
    • The artist's work influenced the young painter
    • She worked on her friends to support the political candidate
  18. verb operate in or through
    work.
    • Work the phones
  19. verb cause to operate or function
    work.
    • This pilot works the controls
    • Can you work an electric drill?
  20. verb provoke or excite
    work.
    • The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy
  21. verb gratify and charm, usually in order to influence
    work.
    • the political candidate worked the crowds
  22. verb make something, usually for a specific function
    mould; form; work; shape; forge; mold.
    • She molded the rice balls carefully
    • Form cylinders from the dough
    • shape a figure
    • Work the metal into a sword
  23. verb move into or onto
    work.
    • work the raisins into the dough
    • the student worked a few jokes into his presentation
    • work the body onto the flatbed truck
  24. verb make uniform
    knead; work.
    • knead dough
    • work the clay until it is soft
  25. verb use or manipulate to one's advantage
    exploit; work.
    • He exploit the new taxation system
    • She knows how to work the system
    • he works his parents for sympathy
  26. verb find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
    lick; work out; work; puzzle out; solve; figure out.
    • did you solve the problem?
    • Work out your problems with the boss
    • this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out
    • did you get it?
    • Did you get my meaning?
    • He could not work the math problem
  27. verb cause to undergo fermentation
    ferment; work.
    • We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content
    • The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats
  28. verb go sour or spoil
    ferment; turn; sour; work.
    • The milk has soured
    • The wine worked
    • The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
  29. verb arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion
    work.
    • The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times

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