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Antonyms for work

Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : wurk
Phonetic Transcription : wɜrk


Definition of work

Origin :
  • Old English weorc, worc "something done, deed, action, proceeding, business, military fortification," from Proto-Germanic *werkan (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch werk, Old Norse verk, Middle Dutch warc, Old High German werah, German Werk, Gothic gawaurki), from PIE root *werg- "to work" (see urge (v.)).
  • Work is less boring than amusing oneself. [Baudelaire, "Mon Coeur mis a nu," 1862]
  • In Old English, the noun also had the sense of "fornication." Workhouse in the sense of "place where the poor or petty criminals are lodged" first appeared 1650s. Works "industrial place" (usually with qualifying adj.) is attested from 1580s. Work ethic recorded from 1959.
  • noun labor, chore
  • noun business, occupation
  • noun achievement
  • verb be employed; exert oneself
  • verb manipulate, operate
  • verb cultivate, form
Example sentences :
  • “Master Headley will give us work, mayhap,” said Stephen, turning to Tibble.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • "That's a pretty good afternoon's work," he said to himself.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Mrs. Rushton was sitting at her work, in rather a disconsolate frame of mind.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • When they had gone, he went back to the work of final adjustment.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Robert soon settled to work, and picked steadily and rapidly.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Robert hurried home, and rushed into the kitchen where his mother was at work.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • It was three o'clock, and he would be resting from his work.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • But the incendiary had taken care to do his work so well that it was already impossible.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • "A man has to work here a few years to love it," said Uncle Peter, shortly.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Honestly, I am glad to find you here at your work in your miner's clothes.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

Synonyms for work

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019