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

Related Words

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