workday

IPA/ˈwɜːkdeɪ/
KK[wˈɚkdˌe]IPA/ˈwɜːrkdeɪ/

workday — noun

  • workdaysingular
  • workdaysplural

1. a whole day when you are expected to do your job, not rest or take a day off

1.nounA2
Definition

a whole day when you are expected to do your job, not rest or take a day off

Example

After the long holiday, Ayesha packed her lunch for her first workday back.

collocation: first workday back

Rodrigo swaps his Thursday workday with a Saturday shift each month.

Common collocations
  • first workday back
  • last workday
  • next workday
  • on workdays
Synonyms
  • weekday

    Usually means Monday to Friday in general, while workday can follow one person's actual work schedule.

  • business day

    More formal and often used for banks, offices, and official deadlines.

  • working day

    A close synonym, especially in formal or British-style use.

Antonyms
  • day off

    A day when someone does not have to work.

Usage Note

Refers to the whole calendar day, not just the hours spent at work. It can describe one person's schedule or the normal day when offices and services are open. Distinguish from sense 2, which means only the working hours inside that day.

Common Mistakes

I answer office email in workdays.
I answer office email on workdays.
Use 'on' when you mean the days when you work.

2. the part of your day that is spent doing your job

2.nounB1
Definition

the part of your day that is spent doing your job

Example

Eve starts her workday at seven with a quick check of overnight emails.

pattern: start your workday

By the end of the workday, Tunde's desk was covered with forms.

phrase: end of the workday

Common collocations
  • start the workday
  • end of the workday
  • during the workday
  • divide the workday
Synonyms
  • working hours

    Refers to the hours of work in a general way, often in rules or schedules.

  • shift

    Usually means a fixed period of duty and may be only one part of a full workday.

Usage Note

Usually used when talking about when work starts, ends, or is divided. Distinguish from sense 1, which names the whole day rather than only the hours spent working.

Common Mistakes

I only check personal messages in my workday.
I only check personal messages during the workday.
Use 'during' when you mean the hours while you are working.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Use 'workday' when you want to focus on a day that someone actually works. It can match a person's schedule, so a nurse's workday might fall on Saturday. 'Weekday' usually means Monday to Friday as a general part of the week, whether a particular person works then or not. 'Business day' is more formal and is common in banking, delivery, and legal language for days when offices are open. Say 'My next workday is Sunday' for a personal schedule, 'I shop on weekdays' for a general weekly pattern, and 'The payment arrives in three business days' for an official deadline.

workday ↗weekday ↗business day

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Workday is a compound formed from 'work' and 'day'. It has been used in English for the idea of both a day spent working and the working part of a day.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1