Added 10 October 2026
working
/ˈwɜːkɪŋ/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about working at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Operation; action.
- Method of operation.
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The incidental or subsidiary calculations performed in solving an overall problem.
Be sure to check your working.
verb
-
present participle and gerund of work
Leave him alone; he’s working.
adjective
-
That is or are functioning.
a working ventilator
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That suffices but requires additional work; provisional.
a working copy of the script
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In paid employment.
Working mothers have recently joined the factory's workforce.
Origin
From Middle English werking, werkynge, warkynge, worchinge, from Old English wyrċing (“working”), verbal noun of wyrċan (“to work”), equivalent to work + -ing. Cognate with Scots wirking, warking, Dutch werking, German Wirkung.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)