working out

Verb

work out (third-person singular simple present works out, present participle working out, simple past and past participle worked out)

1. (transitive) To calculate.
   • Can you work out 250 × 12 in your head for me?
2. (transitive) To make sense of.
   • I can't work these instructions out.

   Synonyms:

   figure out, sort out

3. (transitive) To decide.
   • I can't work out if I like him or not.

   Synonyms:

   determine, judge, choose up, decide, resolve, find, posken, make a decision, make up one's mind, take a decision

4. (transitive) To bring about or cause to happen by work or effort.
   • Near-synonyms: hash out, hammer out

   Synonyms:

   hash out, hammer out

5. (transitive) To resolve; to find a solution for.
   • Near-synonyms: straighten out, sort out

   Synonyms:

   puzzle out, reason out, think out, absolve, decipher, get to the bottom of, iron out, meliorate, ravel, resolve

6. (transitive) To develop or devise in detail; to elaborate.
   • Near-synonyms: plan out, lay out

   Synonyms:

   plan out, lay out

See all 14 meanings of work out