Working

adj.capable, hopefuleveryday

Meaning 1

Functioning well enough to perform its intended task.

Reach for it when confirming that a device, system, or arrangement currently operates

By noon, the village had a working water pump again.

everyday
running
when a machine or process is actively operating
not when Running is temporary and can describe a malfunctioning system that has power.
professional
functional
when basic operation against a purpose is established
not when Functional can mean merely adequate and does not say the item is currently working.
professional
operational
when a system is ready for actual use
not when Operational may be formally available while some functions remain broken.
formal
serviceable
when usable condition is the honest claim
not when Serviceable implies adequacy, not necessarily smooth or complete operation.

Provisional and open to revision while work continues.

Reach for it when labeling a draft assumption, model, or definition used for the next step

The group adopted a working definition and scheduled a review after the pilot.

everyday
draft
when a document remains open to revision
not when Draft applies to created material, not a working hypothesis or relationship.
professional
provisional
when temporary acceptance pending evidence must be explicit
not when Provisional emphasizes uncertainty more than usefulness for current work.
professional
tentative
when confidence remains deliberately limited
not when Tentative can be too weak for a working model actively guiding decisions.
formal
interim
when something fills a role until a replacement is ready
not when Interim emphasizes time, while working emphasizes practical use during development.

working condition
The donated radios arrived in working condition.
working model
The working model revealed where wheelchair clearance was insufficient.
working assumption
Our working assumption will change if the field measurements disagree.