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1
exerciseto do physical activity or exercise, especially to get fit or stay healthy.
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2
solve or understandto find the answer to something by thinking or calculating; to understand something after considering it.
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3
develop successfullyto happen or develop in a good or successful way.
Spot the meaning
Which one is it?
Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.
All meanings, in depth
Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.
to do physical activity or exercise, especially to get fit or stay healthy.
I try to work out at the gym three times a week.
A: You look great! Have you been working out?
B: Yeah, I started going for runs in the mornings.
Personally, I believe working out regularly is important for both physical and mental health.
Common mistake
✗I make workout three times a week.
✓I work out three times a week. / I do a workout three times a week.
'Work out' is the verb; 'a workout' is the noun. Don't say 'make workout'.
Tell it apart
I work out before breakfast.
exerciseI worked out the cost in my head.
calculated itUse 'work out' as a verb for exercising. 'Workout' (one word) is a noun.Not about solving problems—this sense is only about physical exercise.
Often paired with
work out + exercise
to find the answer to something by thinking or calculating; to understand something after considering it.
It took me a while to work out the answer to the math problem.
A: Do you know how this machine works?
B: Not yet, but I'll work it out.
In my opinion, it's important to work out solutions to problems independently before asking for help.
Common mistake
✗I can't work out this.
✓I can't work it out.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'work it out'.
Tell it apart
I worked out the total in my head.
calculated / figured outI work out at the gym most mornings.
exerciseThis sense is about solving problems or understanding, not about exercise.Not related to physical activity—this is about mental effort.
Often paired with
work out + answer
to happen or develop in a good or successful way.
Everything worked out in the end, and we caught our flight.
A: How was your job interview?
B: It worked out better than I expected!
Sometimes, even if you face difficulties, things can work out if you stay positive.
Common mistake
✗Don't worry, it'll work out to the best.
✓Don't worry, it'll work out for the best.
The set phrase is 'work out for the best' — not 'to the best'.
Tell it apart
Things worked out in the end.
developed wellI worked out the answer.
calculated / figured it outUse 'work out' to talk about situations or plans that end well.Not about effort or solving—this is about the result being good.
Often paired with
work out + outcome
Turn this into speaking practice
Practise one meaning at a time and save the ones you mix up for review.