working

[ wur-king ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that works.
2. operation; action:

   the involuted workings of his mind.

3. the process of shaping a material:

   The working of clay is easy when it's damp.

4. the act of manufacturing or building a thing.
5. Usually workings. a part of a mine, quarry, or the like, in which work is carried on.
6. the process of fermenting, as of yeasts.
7. a slow advance involving exertion.
8. disturbed or twisting motions:

   The working of his limbs revealed the disease.

9. repeated movement or strain tending to loosen a structural assembly or part.

adjective

1. that works.
2. doing some form of work or labor, especially manual, mechanical, or industrial work, as for a living:

   a working person.

3. operating; producing effects, results, etc.
4. pertaining to, connected with, or used in operating or working.
5. serving to permit or facilitate continued work:

   a working model; a working majority.

6. adequate for usual or customary needs:

   a working knowledge of Spanish.

   Synonyms: operative, practical, usable

7. large enough for working or being worked: worked:

   a working sample.

8. done, taken, etc., while conducting or discussing business:

   a working lunch.

9. Also (of a face or edge, as of a timber or a metal casting) shaped and planed as a reference for further shaping and planing.

working

/ ˈwɜːkɪŋ /

noun

1. the operation or mode of operation of something
2. the act or process of moulding something pliable
3. a convulsive or jerking motion, as from excitement
4. often plural a part of a mine or quarry that is being or has been worked
5. plural the whole system of excavations in a mine
6. a record of the steps by which the result of a calculation or the solution of a problem is obtained

   all working is to be submitted to the examiners

7. rare.
   slow advance against or as if against resistance

adjective

1. relating to or concerned with a person or thing that works

   a working man

2. concerned with, used in, or suitable for work

   working clothes

3. (of a meal or occasion) during which business discussions are carried on

   working breakfast

   working lunch

4. capable of being operated or used

   a working model

5. sufficiently large or accurate to be useful or to accomplish a desired end

   a working majority

   a working knowledge of German

6. (of a theory, etc) providing a basis, usually a temporary one, on which operations or procedures may be carried out

Other Words From

• self-working adjective
• un·working adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of working¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, working is from the Middle English word werking. See work, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

A jeweller working on London's Bond Street confirmed he bought more than half of them for £10,000 shortly after their disappearance, Sotheby's said.

From BBC

“I'm surrounded by all this up-to-date technology, everything's working well,” he says.

From BBC

After working for two days with Salah, Helen recalls him offering her a glass of champagne to thank her.

From BBC

Two other women working at Harrods say they believe the way they were brought to Monaco and the south of France to be abused by Salah would now be considered trafficking, because they were lured with deceptive offers of work and sexually exploited.

From BBC

During her time working as his personal assistant, Rachael recalls being introduced to older men by Salah who she says "sexually propositioned" her.

From BBC

Related Words

• alive
• busy
• employed
• engaged
• functioning
• running