Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

wo rk|ing par|ty (working parties ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A working party is a committee which is formed to investigate a particular situation or problem and to produce a report containing its opinions and suggestions. [mainly BRIT ] □  They set up a working party to look into the issue. in AM, usually use working group

wo rk-in-pro |gress N‑UNCOUNT In book-keeping, work-in-progress refers to the monetary value of work that has not yet been paid for because it has not yet been completed. [BUSINESS ] □  …two million pounds' worth of work-in-progress.

wo rk-li fe ba l|ance N‑UNCOUNT Your work-life balance is how you organize your days, for example how many hours you spend at work, and how much time you spend with friends or doing things you enjoy. □  Senior managers stipulated work-life balance as their main criterion when choosing jobs.

work|load /wɜː ^r kloʊd/ (workloads ) also work load N‑COUNT The workload of a person or organization is the amount of work that has to be done by them. □  The sudden cancellation of the President's trip was due to his heavy workload.

work|man /wɜː ^r kmən/ (workmen ) N‑COUNT A workman is a man who works with his hands, for example building or repairing houses or roads. □  In University Square workmen are building a steel fence.

work|man|like /wɜː ^r kmənla I k/ ADJ If you describe something as workmanlike , you mean that it has been done quite well and sensibly, but not in a particularly imaginative or original way. □  Really it's a workmanlike conference rather than a dramatic one. □  The script was workmanlike at best.

work|man|ship /wɜː ^r kmənʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT Workmanship is the skill with which something is made and which affects the appearance and quality of the finished object. □  The problem may be due to poor workmanship. □  The standard of workmanship is very high.

work|mate /wɜː ^r kme I t/ (workmates ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your workmates are the people you work with. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □  My workmates, and, even more, the management, didn't want me to leave.

wo rk of a rt (works of art )

1 N‑COUNT A work of art is a painting or piece of sculpture which is of high quality. □  …a collection of works of art of international significance.

2 N‑COUNT A work of art is something which is very complex or which has been skilfully made or produced. □  The actual nest is a work of art.

work|out /wɜː ^r kaʊt/ (workouts ) N‑COUNT A workout is a period of physical exercise or training. □  Give your upper body a workout by using handweights. □  …a 35-minute aerobic workout.

work|place /wɜː ^r kple I s/ (workplaces ) also work place N‑COUNT Your workplace is the place where you work. □  …the difficulties facing women in the workplace.

work|room /wɜː ^r kruːm/ (workrooms ) N‑COUNT A person's workroom is a room where they work, especially when their work involves making things.

work|sheet /wɜː ^r kʃiːt/ (worksheets ) N‑COUNT A worksheet is a specially prepared page of exercises designed to improve your knowledge or understanding of a particular subject.

work|shop /wɜː ^r kʃɒp/ (workshops )

1 N‑COUNT A workshop is a period of discussion or practical work on a particular subject in which a group of people share their knowledge or experience. □ [+ for ] Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave ran a jazz workshop for young artists.

2 N‑COUNT A workshop is a building which contains tools or machinery for making or repairing things, especially using wood or metal. □  …a modestly equipped workshop.

wo rk-shy also workshy ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as work-shy , you disapprove of them because you think they are lazy and do not want to work. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ]