Standard Lemma guide

make-work

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈmeɪkwəːk/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An activity or task assigned or undertaken for the sake of activity or busy-ness, rather than because of a particular need.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

active work of little value

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • while he was waiting he filled the days with busywork

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: busywork

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: work

History

Etymology

From make + work.