worked
worked — verb
- workedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- workeds3rd person singular
- workeding-ing form
- workededpast simple
1. to produce the effect you wanted, or to solve a problem as hoped
to produce the effect you wanted, or to solve a problem as hoped
The new cream worked, and the rash faded by morning.
worked = produced the wanted result
Ramón's apology worked, and the coach let him rejoin practice.
Closing the curtains worked, so the baby finally fell asleep.
That shortcut worked on Monday but failed during the holiday rush.
- worked well
- worked immediately
- worked this time
Usage Note
Used for plans, medicine, tricks, and methods that achieve the wanted result. Use sense 5 for machines or devices.
2. to spend time doing a paid job or another regular task
to spend time doing a paid job or another regular task
Christopher worked nights at the airport cafe during university term.
worked + time period for regular employment
My aunt worked in a bakery until her knee started hurting.
Two students worked weekends to help pay their rent.
After the divorce, their father worked two jobs for a year.
- worked nights
- worked weekends
- worked two jobs
3. to have your job in a particular place or to do your job from there
to have your job in a particular place or to do your job from there
Devika worked at the museum before moving to Singapore.
work at + workplace
For six months, Benjamin worked from a tiny office above the shop.
Our science teacher worked in Seoul for most of her career.
Before retirement, Abigail worked out of a clinic near the harbor.
- worked at a museum
- worked from home
- worked out of a clinic
Grammar Patterns
work at + place
work in + place
work from + place
work out of + place
Usage Note
Usually followed by at, in, from, or out of plus the place where the job happens.
4. to keep someone or an animal busy with a task and make them go on doing it
to keep someone or an animal busy with a task and make them go on doing it
The farmer worked the horses hard before the storm arrived.
work + person or animal object
During harvest week, the boss worked everyone past sunset.
The coach worked the younger players on defense all afternoon.
That tour company worked the camels even in midday heat.
- worked the horses
- worked everyone
- worked the camels
Grammar Patterns
work someone hard
work an animal all day
Usage Note
The object is the person or animal being made to do the task, often for a long time or very hard.
5. when a machine, system, or method works, it functions properly; when someone wor
when a machine, system, or method works, it functions properly; when someone works it, they use the controls so it starts or keeps running
The old radio worked again after Aylin replaced the loose wire.
intransitive for a machine functioning
None of the classroom tablets worked during the online exam.
Folake worked the lift buttons until the doors finally opened.
This keycard worked only at the side entrance last night.
- worked again
- worked properly
- worked the buttons
Grammar Patterns
the machine worked
work the controls
Usage Note
Use this sense for machines, systems, keys, or controls. Sense 1 is about whether something succeeds.
6. to move yourself or something bit by bit into a place, position, or new state th
to move yourself or something bit by bit into a place, position, or new state through steady effort or repeated small movements
After months of training, Liam worked his way into the starting team.
work your way into + group or position
The nurse worked the ring off the swollen finger with soap.
Shanti worked herself free from the tight sleeping bag.
Nadia worked the folded note under the locked classroom door.
- worked his way into
- worked the ring off
- worked herself free
Grammar Patterns
work your way into
work yourself free
work something under
Usage Note
Common in patterns like work your way into, work something off, or work yourself free.
7. to bring about a result by handling people or situations cleverly, often outside
to bring about a result by handling people or situations cleverly, often outside the usual rules
Roya worked a discount from the hotel manager after the leak.
work + result you managed to obtain
Harper worked it so the band could rehearse after closing time.
The club captain worked us onto the waiting list before noon.
Indra worked a deal with the landlord by offering six months upfront.
- worked a deal
- worked a discount
- worked it so
Grammar Patterns
work it so + clause
work a deal
work a discount
Usage Note
Often informal. The object names the result you managed to obtain, not the task itself.
8. to shape or treat a material so it becomes ready for use or looks the way you wa
to shape or treat a material so it becomes ready for use or looks the way you want
The jeweler worked the silver into a thin, bright chain.
work + material into new form
Charlotte worked the dough until it felt smooth and springy.
At the workshop, Sofie worked clay into small animal bowls.
The carpenter worked the wood smooth before adding the paint.
- worked the silver
- worked the dough
- worked clay
Grammar Patterns
work metal into shape
work dough until smooth
Usage Note
The object is usually a physical substance such as dough, wood, metal, clay, or plastic.
worked — adjective
- workedpositive
- workedercomparative
- workedestsuperlative
1. changed, improved, or made by a process such as shaping, treatment, or careful d
changed, improved, or made by a process such as shaping, treatment, or careful development
The gate was made from worked iron with small leaf patterns.
worked + material noun
Archaeologists found a piece of worked bone near the fire pit.
The necklace used worked silver instead of rough metal scraps.
The hall still had worked stone around the old doorway.
- worked iron
- worked bone
- worked stone
Usage Note
Usually before a noun such as stone, iron, bone, or silver.
Etymology
First known use
1682
1682, in the meaning defined above