work as sth
phr. v..phr. v.. To have a specific job or role. You use this phrase to describe what someone does for a living or what function something has.
phr. v.. To be employed in a particular capacity or to function in a specific role. This is a prepositional verb, not a core phrasal verb, as its meaning is literal.
My brother works as a chef.
She worked as a translator for the government before starting her own business.
For centuries, the river worked as a natural border between the two kingdoms, shaping their politics and trade.
- Particles
- as
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- work + as + object
The object following 'as' is typically a job title, profession, or a functional role.
Contrast 'work as' (for a role/profession) with 'work for' (for a company) and 'work with' (for colleagues/tools).
He works like a doctor.He works as a doctor.Use 'as' to state a person's actual job or function; 'like' is used for comparison or similarity.