ENGLISH
REFERENCE

working

adj. · n.
US //ˈwɝkɪŋ// UK //wˈɜːkɪŋ// work·ing
  1. 1 having a job (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    having a paid job or relating to your job.

    engaged in paid employment or relating to the period of time spent at a job.

    Example

    Most working parents find it difficult to balance their jobs and family life.

    Example

    The government introduced new tax credits specifically designed to support working families struggling with rising childcare costs.
  2. 2 functioning (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    operating correctly or being in use.

    functioning or operating in the intended manner; currently active or in use.

    Example

    We need a working elevator because the stairs are too steep for my grandmother.

    Example

    The engineers managed to restore a working connection to the satellite just minutes before the window for data transmission closed.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 provisional or practical (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    good enough to use for now, even if it is not finished.

    serving as a basis for further work; providing a practical or sufficient starting point despite being incomplete.

    Example

    The scientists have a working theory, but they need more evidence to prove it.

    Example

    The committee established a working definition of the term to ensure all departments were aligned during the initial phase of the project.
  2. 4 how something operates (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the way that a machine, system, or organization operates.

    the manner in which a system, machine, or organization functions; often used in the plural to describe internal mechanisms.

    Example

    The book explains the inner workings of the human brain in simple language.

    Example

    To improve efficiency, the consultant spent a month observing the daily workings of the factory floor and the logistics department.
  3. 5 math steps (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English Math

    the notes and calculations you do to find the answer to a problem.

    the intermediate calculations or logical steps performed to reach a solution, particularly in mathematics.

    Example

    You must show your working in the exam to get full marks.

    Example

    Even though the final answer was incorrect, the student received partial credit because her working demonstrated a clear understanding of the formula.
Etymology 1

From Middle English werking, werkynge, warkynge, worchinge, from Old English wyrċing (“working”), verbal noun of wyrċan (“to work”), equivalent to work + -ing. Cognate with Scots wirking, warking, Dutch werking, German Wirkung.

Etymology 2

From Middle English workyng, wirkynge, worchinge, werchinge, workinde, wirkand, worchende, wurchende, from Old English wyrċende, from Proto-Germanic wurkijandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic wurkijaną (“to work”), equivalent to work + -ing. Compare Scots wirkand, werkand, warkand (“working”), Dutch werkend (“working, acting”), German wirkend (“acting, working”).

Idioms2 entries

© 2026 English Reference