work out

phrasal verb

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	work out
he/she/it	works out
present participle	working out
past tense	worked out
past participle	worked out

1
transitive to solve a problem by doing a calculation
I was born in 1947: you work out my age.
Synonyms and related words
To calculate or count
calculate
count
estimate
1. 1a
  to solve a problem by considering the facts
  I can’t work out what to do.
  Synonyms and related words
  To successfully deal with a problem or difficulty
  cope
  overcome
  carry off
2. 1b
  to deal with a problem in a satisfactory way
  We’ve worked out our differences.
  Synonyms and related words
  To successfully deal with a problem or difficulty
  cope
  overcome
  carry off
2
intransitive to be successful, or to end in a particular way
If it doesn’t work out, you can always come back here.
Things worked out pretty well in the end.
Synonyms and related words
To develop or happen successfully
shape up
function
work out
3
transitive to find a satisfactory way of doing something
An international peace plan has been worked out.
Synonyms and related words
To successfully deal with a problem or difficulty
cope
overcome
carry off
1. 3a
  to decide or agree on something
  The exact details of the event haven’t been worked out yet.
  We haven’t worked out a date for the meeting.
  Synonyms and related words
  To reach, or to enter into an agreement
  get together
  enter into
  reach
  Synonyms and related words
  To make a decision
  decide
  determine
  arrive at
4
intransitive to add up to a particular amount
work out at:
The mortgage works out at about £360 a month.
Synonyms and related words
To add up to a total
add up
come to
amount to
1. 4a
  used for saying what the actual cost or value of something is when you calculate it
  Taking the train works out more expensive than going by car.
  Synonyms and related words
  To cost someone an amount of money
  cost
  buy
  work out
5
intransitive to do physical exercise as a way of keeping fit
He works out at the local gym every day.
Synonyms and related words
To do physical exercise as a way of keeping fit
burn off
exercise
firm up
6
transitive to understand someone or something
I can’t work him out.
Synonyms and related words
To understand something
understand
know
work out