Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

work over

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.72 in modern English

Syllables: work over
IPA

18

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

1

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To improve a prototype, or first draft.

Transitive verb

verb

To physically attack in order to cause injury.

Slang; Transitive verb

verb

To subject (a person) to a severe scolding, interrogation, beating, etc.

Slang; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"The estimated figures are not bad, but somebody will have to work them over."
"He'll talk, once we work him over."
"The desk sergeant worked him over pretty good and finally turned him over to the detective squad."

Usage

Inflected Forms

works over (present, singular) working over (participle, present) worked over (participle, past) worked over (past)

Synonyms

polish rework beat up beat

Questions

What does work over mean?: To improve a prototype, or first draft.

How to pronounce work over

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “work over”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “work over”.
Repeat and practice — Say “work over” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.