work out

verb works out · working out · 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.
3. transitive To decide. I can't work out if I like him or not.
4. transitive To bring about or cause to happen by work or effort. Near-synonyms: hash out, hammer out
5. transitive To resolve; to find a solution for. Near-synonyms: straighten out, sort out
6. transitive To develop or devise in detail; to elaborate. Near-synonyms: plan out, lay out
7. transitive To smooth or perfect. Near-synonyms: iron out, smooth out
8. intransitive To conclude with the correct solution. Near-synonym: add up
9. intransitive To succeed; to result in a satisfactory situation. Near-synonym: pan out
10. intransitive To exercise, especially by lifting weights. John won't be here for a while because he's working out.
11. transitive To strengthen a part of one’s body by exercise. To work out your core
12. US, intransitive To earn a wage working away from one's farm. The two Russians made good farmhands, and in summer they worked out together.
13. intransitive, transitive Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see work, out. Using some tweezers, he worked the bee sting out of his hand.
14. To remove all the mineral that can be profitably exploited. The gravel pit had been worked out.