working
- 01 A2 Elementary
adj.having a paid job or relating to your job.
adj.engaged in paid employment or relating to the period of time spent at a job.
Simple“Most working parents find it difficult to balance their jobs and family life.”
In context“The government introduced new tax credits specifically designed to support working families struggling with rising childcare costs.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
adj.operating correctly or being in use.
adj.functioning or operating in the intended manner; currently active or in use.
Simple“We need a working elevator because the stairs are too steep for my grandmother.”
In context“The engineers managed to restore a working connection to the satellite just minutes before the window for data transmission closed.”
SynonymsAntonymsbrokenbroken down - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.good enough to use for now, even if it is not finished.
adj.serving as a basis for further work; providing a practical or sufficient starting point despite being incomplete.
Simple“The scientists have a working theory, but they need more evidence to prove it.”
In context“The committee established a working definition of the term to ensure all departments were aligned during the initial phase of the project.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the way that a machine, system, or organization operates.
n.the manner in which a system, machine, or organization functions; often used in the plural to describe internal mechanisms.
Simple“The book explains the inner workings of the human brain in simple language.”
In context“To improve efficiency, the consultant spent a month observing the daily workings of the factory floor and the logistics department.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
n.the notes and calculations you do to find the answer to a problem.
n.the intermediate calculations or logical steps performed to reach a solution, particularly in mathematics.
Simple“You must show your working in the exam to get full marks.”
In context“Even though the final answer was incorrect, the student received partial credit because her working demonstrated a clear understanding of the formula.”
Synonyms
Usage working together · working conditions · working closely
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.
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.