works
Definition
Noun 1. The internal mechanism of a device: The moving parts or machinery inside a machine or device. 2. Buildings for carrying on industrial labor; a factory or plant: A place where manufacturing or industrial activity happens. 3. Everything available; the whole collection or set: Used with "the" to mean all the items, parts, or features that are included or possible. 4. (usually with 'the') Performance of moral or religious acts; deeds: Actions, especially good ones, performed as part of one's moral or religious duty. 5. (theology) Salvation by deeds; the reward for good works: The concept that salvation or divine reward is earned through performing good actions.
Usage and Examples
- As the internal mechanism:
- The clockmaker opened the back of the watch to examine its delicate works.
- Something is wrong with the works of this old music box; it won't play.
- As an industrial site or factory:
- The steel works closed down, leaving many people unemployed.
- He got a job at the chemical works on the edge of town.
- As 'the works' meaning everything:
- I ordered a pizza with the works—pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, and extra cheese.
- For my birthday, I got the works: a cake, presents, and a big party.
- As moral/religious deeds (often formal or theological):
- She was known for her charitable works and kindness to the poor.
- His faith is demonstrated through his good works.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- The singular form 'work' is a mass noun referring to labor, effort, or a task. The plural form 'works' often refers to tangible, countable things like mechanisms, factories, or collections of artistic output (e.g., ).
- 'The works' is a very common informal idiom. It can refer to all available options on a menu, every part of a system, or a full set of services (e.g., at a car wash: ).
- In theological contexts, 'works' is a key term in debates about faith versus actions, as in
Variants and Related Words
- Work (noun, uncountable): Activity involving mental or physical effort done to achieve a purpose. (e.g., )
- Work (verb): To engage in physical or mental activity; to function properly. (e.g., )
- Workings (noun, plural): Often synonymous with 'works' when referring to a mechanism, but can also mean the way something operates. (e.g., ).
- Workhouse (noun): A historical institution where the poor were housed and made to work.
- Workyard (noun): A yard or area where work, especially industrial work, is done.
Synonyms
- For : machinery, mechanism, movement, innards, guts (informal).
- For : plant, mill, factory, industrial complex, shop.
- For : the whole shebang, the full treatment, everything, the lot, the whole caboodle.
- For : deeds, actions, acts, doings.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
- Give someone/something the (full) works: To give someone or something every possible treatment, part, or service.
- After the marathon, I treated myself to a spa day and got the full works.
- In the works: Being planned, developed, or prepared.
- A new sequel to the movie is in the works.
- Shoot the works: To spend all of one's money or use all of one's resources.
- It's our last night on vacation—let's shoot the works and have dinner at that fancy restaurant!
Noun
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the internal mechanism of a device
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performance of moral or religious acts
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salvation by deeds
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the reward for good works
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everything available; usually preceded by `the'
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we saw the whole shebang
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a hotdog with the works
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we took on the whole caboodle
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for $10 you get the full treatment
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buildings for carrying on industrial labor
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they built a large plant to manufacture automobiles
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