English Reference
Noun

workhorse

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈwɝkˌhɔɹs/ UK /wˈɜːkhɔːs/ work·horse UK spelling workhorse's, workhorse's

n.a person or machine that is very reliable and does a lot of hard work. You use this to describe someone who is not flashy but gets the job done.

n.a person or machine that is exceptionally reliable and capable of performing a large amount of work. Often used metaphorically to describe a dependable employee or a robust piece of equipment.


SIMPLE

He is a real workhorse who never complains about long hours.

CONTEXTUAL

The company relies on her as a workhorse, knowing she can handle the most difficult tasks with ease.

COMPLEX

While the newer models are more stylish, the older truck remains a workhorse, enduring the harsh conditions of the construction site without any mechanical failures.


From Middle English werkehorse, equivalent to work + horse.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English werkehorse
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated