works
UK: wɜːks | US: wɜːrks
n. (plural) industrial buildings or machinery (e.g., "steel works")
n. (plural) literary/musical compositions (e.g., "Shakespeare's works")
v. (3rd person singular) functions or operates (e.g., "The machine works smoothly")
Derived from Old English weorc (noun: "physical labor") and wyrcan (verb: "to act, construct"), both from Proto-Germanic werkan. The plural noun form emerged to denote tangible outputs (e.g., factories, artistic creations), while the verb form retained its core meaning of functioning. The -s suffix marks either plurality (n.) or third-person singular (v.), showcasing English’s Germanic grammatical roots.
The artist’s works are displayed in the gallery.
The factory works at full capacity during peak season.
His collected works include novels and essays.
How this engine works remains a mystery to me.
The irrigation system works automatically.