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at work
/æt wɜːrk/
performing one's job duties
She is at work on a new project.
She is currently performing her job duties on a new project.
neutral
Engaged in one's employment or professional activities.
The office is empty because everyone is at work.
The office is empty because everyone is performing their job duties.
I'll call you later; I'm at work right now.
I'll call you later; I'm currently engaged in my job.
Commonly used to indicate physical presence at a workplace or active engagement in work-related tasks.
Engineering
technical
In operation or functioning (of machinery, systems, or processes).
The factory's machinery is at work 24 hours a day.
The factory's machinery is operating continuously.
The immune system is at work fighting the infection.
The immune system is actively functioning to combat the infection.
Used to describe systems or biological processes that are actively performing their function.
Collocations
at work onactively engaged in creating or developing somethingback at workreturned to one's job after a breakhard at workworking diligently
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 'at home' or 'at school'
Remember that 'at work' specifically refers to being engaged in employment or professional activities, not just being in a workplace building. For example, 'She's at work on her laptop' implies she's working, not just physically present.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'at work' when referring to employment or active engagement in work tasks. For physical presence without work activity, use 'in the office' or 'at the workplace'.
Word Origin
The phrase combines the preposition 'at' (indicating position or state) with 'work' (from Old English 'weorc', meaning labor or activity). The idiomatic use of 'at' to denote engagement in an activity dates back to Middle English.
Usage Notes
The phrase is typically used to describe the state of being actively engaged in one's employment. It can refer to physical presence at a workplace or metaphorical engagement in work-related activities. In technical contexts, it describes systems or processes that are functioning.
Word Breakdown
at
indicates position or state
prepositionwork
labor or activity, especially employment
nounEnglish Dictionary