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 ]
work|station /wɜː r kste I ʃ ə n/ (workstations ) also work station N‑COUNT A workstation is a screen and keyboard that are part of an office computer system.
wo rk sur|face (work surfaces ) also worksurface N‑COUNT A work surface is a flat surface, usually in a kitchen, which is easy to clean and on which you can do things such as prepare food.
work|top /wɜː r ktɒp/ (worktops ) N‑COUNT A worktop is a flat surface in a kitchen which is easy to clean and on which you can prepare food. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use countertop , counter
wo rk week (work weeks ) N‑COUNT A work week is the amount of time during a normal week which you spend doing your job. [mainly AM ] □ The union had sought a wage increase and a shorter work week. in BRIT, usually use working week
world ◆◆◆ /wɜː r ld/ (worlds )
1 N‑SING The world is the planet that we live on. □ It's a beautiful part of the world. □ The satellite enables us to calculate their precise location anywhere in the world.
2 N‑SING [N n] The world refers to all the people who live on this planet, and our societies, institutions, and ways of life. □ The world was, and remains, shocked. □ He wants to show the world that anyone can learn to be an ambassador. □ …his personal contribution to world history.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use world to describe someone or something that is one of the most important or significant of its kind on earth. □ He was regarded as a leading world statesman. □ China has once again emerged as a world power.
4 N‑SING You can use world in expressions such as the Arab world , the western world , and the ancient world to refer to a particular group of countries or a particular period in history. □ Athens had strong ties to the Arab world. □ …the developing world.
5 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's world is the life they lead, the people they have contact with, and the things they experience. □ His world seemed so different from mine. □ I lost my job and it was like my world collapsed.
6 N‑SING You can use world to refer to a particular field of activity, and the people involved in it. □ The publishing world had certainly never seen an event quite like this. [Also + of ]