1 A2 idiomatic neutral
To exercise the body, especially at a gym or with a fitness routine.
"She works out three times a week to stay fit and manage her stress."
inseparable
work out
A2 neutral mixed transitive/intransitive
To exercise; to calculate or solve something; or for a plan or situation to succeed or reach a satisfactory conclusion.
In plain English
To exercise, to solve a problem, or for things to go well in the end.
What does "work out" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To calculate a number, find the answer to a problem, or devise a plan.
"Can you work out how much each person owes if we split the bill equally?"
separable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral
Of a situation or plan: to end well or develop in a satisfactory way.
"I was nervous about the move to a new city, but everything worked out better than I expected."
“
"Everything's gonna work out fine."
— Tom Petty, 'Even the Losers', Damn the Torpedoes, 1979.
inseparable
4 B2 idiomatic informal
To understand someone's character or intentions after observation.
"I can't quite work him out — one moment he's friendly, the next he ignores everyone."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Work' applied until something is fully resolved ('out' meaning completely done) — the exercise sense comes from 'working your body out'.
Actually means
To exercise, to solve a problem, or for things to go well in the end.
Usage tip
One of the most versatile phrasal verbs in English, with three very common and distinct senses. As an exercise term ('go to the gym to work out'), it is intransitive. As a calculation ('work out the cost'), it is transitive and separable. As a result ('it all worked out'), it is intransitive. Very common across all registers.
Words that pair with "work out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
gym plan cost solution fine well problem deal
How to conjugate "work out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
work out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
works out
he/she/it
Past simple
worked out
yesterday
Past participle
worked out
have + pp
-ing form
working out
continuous
Hear "work out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "work out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.