work

shape, form, or improve a material“work stone into tools”

make something, usually for a specific function“She molded the rice balls carefully”

have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected“The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought”

perform as expected when applied“The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in”

cause to happen or to occur as a consequence“I cannot work a miracle”

find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of“did you solve the problem?”

give a workout to“Some parents exercise their infants”

operate in or through“Work the phones”

cause to undergo fermentation“We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content”

go sour or spoil“The milk has soured”

prepare for crops“Work the soil”

to mix into a homogeneous mass“knead dough”

be employed“Is your husband working again?”

cause to work“he is working his servants hard”

have and exert influence or effect“The artist's work influenced the young painter”

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity; work“I will work hard to improve my grades”

proceed along a path“work one's way through the crowd”

operate in a certain place, area, or specialty“She works the night clubs”

proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity“work your way through every problem or task”

behave in a certain way when handled“This dough does not work easily”

provoke or excite“The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy”

use or manipulate to one's advantage“He exploited the new taxation system”

move in an agitated manner“His fingers worked with tension”

cause to operate or function“This pilot works the controls”

gratify and charm, usually in order to influence“the political candidate worked the crowds”

move into or onto“work the raisins into the dough”

arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion“The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times”

the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)“he studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvre”

a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing“it is not regarded as one of his more memorable works”

the occupation for which you are paid“he is looking for employment”

applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)“mastering a second language requires a lot of work”

a place where work is done“he arrived at work early today”

activity directed toward making or doing something“she checked several points needing further work”

(physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force“work equals force times distance”