What does workday mean?
A workday is principally a day on which a person normally works, especially an ordinary weekday rather than a weekend or holiday. It can also refer more narrowly to the working hours within a day, as when an employer sets a workday from nine to five. In everyday use, the word often carries the implication of routine, effort, and a schedule: a long workday, a busy workday, or the end of the workday. Although a workday can mean any scheduled day of work, a weekday is broader in the strict calendrical sense, covering Monday through Friday whether or not someone is employed. The word is natural in both British and American English and is neutral in tone. In business, administrative, and workplace contexts, it is professional without sounding overly formal. Its usefulness lies in naming both the calendar occasion of work and, by extension, the portion of the day devoted to it. The compound also appears in phrases involving hours and schedules, where it emphasizes time specifically set aside for employment.
A day on which one normally works, especially an ordinary weekday; by extension, the period during which one is scheduled to work.
"She completed the report in one workday."
The two meanings are distinguished by context: the word can refer either to a whole calendar day or to a specified span of working hours.
Of or relating to a workday or to ordinary working hours.
"The policy applies only to essential personnel during workday hours."
This use is chiefly attributive and is common in workplace, business, and administrative language.
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple working days or distinct working periods.
"The schedule lists six workdays and one day off."
A workday can mean an entire day—or just the working hours squeezed into it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does workday come from?
Workday is an English compound of work and day. The element work descends from Old English werc or worc, while day descends from Old English dæg; both have Germanic origins. Closely parallel compounds occur in Dutch as werkdag, in German as Werktag, and in Swedish as arbetsdag, using Germanic cognates of the same elements.
Related word forms
How workday is actually used
The noun is neutral and common in workplace, business, and administrative contexts. “Working day” is also widely used, particularly when referring to hours or schedules. As an adjective, “workday” is usually attributive.
Easily confused with workday
A weekday is any day from Monday through Friday, whereas a workday is specifically a day on which someone is expected to work.