worktable

worktable — noun

1. A flat surface on legs that people use for practical activities such as sewing,

1.nounB1
Definition

A flat surface on legs that people use for practical activities such as sewing, drawing, crafting, or repairing objects — it may have drawers or shelves for keeping tools and supplies.

Example

Caleb set up his new worktable in the garage to build model airplanes.

collocation: set up a worktable

Élise keeps her sewing machine on a small worktable by the window.

preposition: on a worktable

Common collocations
  • set up a worktable
  • clear the worktable
  • work at a worktable
  • foldable worktable
  • wooden worktable
  • worktable drawer
  • worktable surface
Synonyms
  • workbench

    typically stronger and used for heavy tasks such as woodworking or metalworking

  • desk

    designed for writing or computer work, not for hands-on practical tasks

  • bench

    a long, sturdy surface used in workshops for manual work

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A worktable is a general flat surface used for practical tasks like sewing, crafting, or repairing — it need not be heavy-duty. A workbench is specifically built for heavy manual work (woodworking, metalworking) and is usually thicker and more robust. A desk is meant for writing, reading, or using a computer, with smooth surfaces for paper and devices. A bench is a long, sturdy work surface common in workshops and garages. An ordinary table serves many purposes (dining, studying), while a worktable is dedicated to hands-on activities. For example: 'I sewed curtains on my worktable' sounds natural, but 'I sewed curtains on my desk' would be odd because desks lack the space and durability for sewing.

workbench ↗desk ↗bench ↗table ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • sewing worktable
  • craft worktable
  • folding worktable
  • garage worktable
  • wooden worktable

Phrases

  • clear the worktable
  • set up the worktable
  • spread out on the worktable
  • put away the worktable

Prepositions

  • on a worktable
  • at a worktable
  • across the worktable
  • onto the worktable

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchLatinEnglish

The word worktable is formed by joining work (from Old English weorc, meaning 'activity, effort, or something that has been made') with table (from Old French table, meaning 'a flat board or slab', which came from Latin tabula 'a plank or writing board'). It has been used in English since the 1400s to describe a surface dedicated to practical tasks.