Revised as of
16 Oct 2022
The difference between work out and workout is simple: verb versus noun. One is action and the other is a thing.
Either one can be physical or mental — the work out tends to be more along the mental lines while workout is usually more physical. An odd juxtaposition considering that a verb is about action while nouns don’t appear to move. Unless some verb comes along to throw it . . .!
A work out is quite broad and primarily encompasses mental exercises in figuring things out, whether it’s understanding, solving, devising, or . . . It does involve the physical as well, as you do have to work out on your workout!
A workout is limited, for the most part, to a schedule of exercises in which the exerciser engages. In a workout.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end. Consider sharing this Word Confusion with friends by tweeting it.
| Work Out | Workout |
|---|---|
Kiki Risk Thinking by Risk at meta Wikimedia Foundation (transferred from meta.wikimedia to Commons) is in the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. — Kiki is busy thinking, working it out. |
King Kong Vault by Lorhamix, done in Pivot Stickfigure Animator is under the CC BY-SA 2.5 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — Short animation showing King Kong Vault, a type of parkour workout. |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Phrasal verb
Third person present verb: works out |
Compound word
Noun Plural for the noun: workouts |
| Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result
Verb, intransitive: [Of an equation] Be capable of being solved To prove effective, practicable, or suitable
To engage in a workout Understand someone’s character [Literary] Accomplish or attain something with difficulty Verb, transitive: To solve (as a problem) by a process of reasoning or calculation
To devise, arrange, or achieve by resolving difficulties Develop To discharge (as a debt) by labor [Usually be worked out] Work a mine until it is exhausted of minerals |
A session of vigorous physical exercise or training
A test of one’s ability, capacity, stamina, or suitability An undertaking or plan intended to resolve a problem of indebtedness especially in lieu of bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings |
| Examples: | |
| Verb, intransitive: I don’t know how this will actually work out. She works out regularly at the gym. A compromise between the warring factions was worked out. My coach has got me working out like a son of a gun. Things don’t always work out that way. Verb, transitive: I couldn’t work out whether it was a band playing or a record. Can you work out some kind of seating plan? Malicious fates are bent on working out an ill intent. We worked out a solution to keep the business running. |
I need to set up a workout schedule.
The team had a good workout at practice today. My workout lasts one-and-a-half hours three times a week. I have to alternate my weightlifting exercises with my aerobic workout. |
| Phrasal Verb | |
| work out at
work someone out work something out |
|
| History of the Word: | |
| The first known use was in 1534.
Old English cald is of Germanic origin. It’s related to the Dutch koud and the German kalt, also to the Latin gelu meaning frost. |
The first known use was in 1894. |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Work Out versus Workout
Apple Dictionary.com
Merriam-Webster: work out, workout
Pinterest Photo Credits
I brightened the yellow, removed the outline, and rotated Bulbgraph in Photoshop. This is RubySS’ own work, via Wikimedia Commons. Woman Stretching on Soccer Field, <https://visualhunt.com/photo/15319/woman-stretching-on-soccer-field-1/>, via VisualHunt. Both are in the public domain.
