working

1 of 2

noun

work·​ing ˈwər-kiŋ 

1

: the manner of functioning or operating : operation

—usually used in plural

the inner workings of the government

2

: an excavation or group of excavations made in mining, quarrying, or tunneling

—usually used in plural

working

2 of 2

adjective

1

: engaged in work especially for wages or a salary

a working journalist

a working mother

2

: adequate to permit work to be done

a working majority

3

: assumed or adopted to permit or facilitate further work or activity

a working draft

4

: spent at work

working life

5

: being in use or operation

a working farm

Synonyms

Noun

• ins and outs
• mechanics
• ropes

Adjective

• active
• alive
• functional
• functioning
• going
• live
• living
• on
• operating
• operational
• operative
• running

Examples of working in a Sentence

Noun

an article about the byzantine workings of the auction business for high-end art

Adjective

There is a good working relationship between the departments.

the working parts of the machine

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In today’s rapidly changing work landscape, leaders must be adaptable and open to new working methods. —Steve Osler, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

There’s also a front-facing speaker and a tiny working infrared remote control. —Simon Hill, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024

Adjective

With my role, having a working knowledge of the runway helps with researching and deciding the best visuals to use across print and digital. —Diego Portillo, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024

PwC’s research indicates that individuals worried about finances spend three or more working hours per week dealing with these issues. —Diane Winiarski, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing working

• co-working
• in (good) working order
• in (good) working order/condition
• non-working
• the working class
• the working classes
• wonder-working
• working asset
• working/business breakfast
• working/business lunch
• working capital
• working class
• working day
• working dog
• working fluid
• working girl
• working group
• working memory
• working papers
• working party
• working relationship
• working substance
• working week

Kids Definition

working

1 of 2 noun

work·​ing ˈwər-kiŋ 

: the manner of functioning or operating : operation

—usually used in plural

the inner workings of the motion picture industry

working

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: doing work especially for a living

working people

b

: being in an operating state

a working model

2

: good enough to allow work to be done

a working majority

a working arrangement