hard work
- noun
- /hɑrd wɜrk/
- Sometimes it takes years, decades of hard work to get noticed.
- hard work and dedication
- require hard work
- hard work leads to success
But you know, the hard work is done by the editor.
- But you know, the hard work is done by the editor.
- Everything's been through hard work and just sheer will.
- Like you could differentiate yourself through hard work and hustle and just pure effort.
- Try and work hard, work hard, hard work is the goal.
- I got there through grit, hard work and determination.
Examples
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Reaching that goal will require commitment, hard work, vision, and generosity.
Academic text (2015) -
Her success in the competition was a result of her consistent hard work and dedication.
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Well, that got me thinking about hard work and long term stuff.
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So in order to be successful, yes, hard work has its place.
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That way, all your hard work paid off, right?
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And thanks to my hard work, they got it.
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Little do they know that their dedication and hard work are not enough to ensure success for these students.
Academic text (2011) -
Each of the three students receives a certificate for their hard work throughout the week.
Academic text (2013) -
I am extremely grateful for all of the hard work that they have put into organizing this program!
Academic text (2015) -
I got a little something for the Tigers here to express my gratitude and just a big thank you for all the hard work.
Synonyms
A notable achievement done with a lot of hard work
Careful, steady work that helps you reach a goal
Hard steady work that someone does with care and effort
Hard, careful effort to do a task or learn something
Work done with your hands or body rather than by machines
Very hard physical or mental work that needs a lot of effort
Hard work done to earn money or achieve something
Hard, persistent work that involves walking, like going door to door
A lot of hard, boring work that others avoid but must be done
Antonyms
How Hard
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase 'hard work' is compositionally built from 'hard' (demanding, strenuous) + 'work' (effort), so its meaning of persistent or serious effort is directly derivable from the constituents. This adjective+noun pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the phrase.
Etymology
The noun hard work may come from the simple picture of hard meaning 'tough' or 'solid' and work like lifting heavy stones or working long hours in the fields. So hard work now means 'steady and serious effort' to reach a difficult goal.