Workplaces are the physical locations where people work, and different places suggest different jobs and activities. Learn the most common place words and what usually happens there. Use these words with the preposition “at” to say where someone works or where something happens.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
office	a place where people do administrative or desk work	She works in an office.
factory	a place where products are made, often with machines	He works at a factory.
store	a place where goods are sold to customers	I work in a clothing store.
hospital	a place where doctors and nurses treat patients	She works at the hospital.
school	a place where teachers teach students	He works at a school.

Job titles name a person’s role at work. Some titles describe the type of work, while others describe level of responsibility. Use job titles after “a” or “an” to say what someone is: “She is a manager.”

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
manager	a person who leads a team or area of work	He is a manager.
employee	a person who works for a company	She is an employee.
technician	a person who fixes or maintains equipment	The technician repaired the printer.
accountant	a person who manages financial records	Our accountant prepares reports.
recruiter	a person who hires and interviews candidates	The recruiter called me.

Departments are groups inside a company that focus on specific functions. Knowing department names helps you describe who does what and where requests should go. Use “in” to place people inside a department: “She works in HR.”

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
HR	the department that handles hiring, policies, and employee support	HR scheduled my onboarding.
finance	the department that manages money, budgets, and payments	Finance approved the budget.
marketing	the department that promotes products and brand	Marketing launched a campaign.
IT	the department that manages computers, networks, and software	IT reset my password.
operations	the department that runs daily processes and delivery	Operations updated the schedule.

Workplace communication often depends on relationship words, not job titles. These words show hierarchy, teamwork, and external partners. Choose them carefully because they can sound formal, friendly, or very direct depending on context.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
supervisor	the person who directly manages your work	My supervisor reviewed it.
coworker	someone you work with at the same company	A coworker helped me.
teammate	someone on your team working toward the same goal	My teammate shared an update.
client	a person or company that buys your services	The client requested changes.
vendor	a company that sells goods or services to your company	The vendor delivered the equipment.

Time vocabulary helps you talk about schedules, availability, and deadlines. Many of these words appear in emails and meetings when planning work. Combine them with dates and times to be specific and professional.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
schedule	a plan of times for work or events	My schedule is full today.
shift	a set period of work time, often in service or manufacturing	I work the night shift.
deadline	the latest time something must be finished	The deadline is Friday.
overtime	work time beyond normal hours	She worked overtime.
time off	approved time away from work	I need time off next week.

Meeting vocabulary helps you talk about planning, discussion, decisions, and follow-up. These words are common in calendars, video calls, and notes. Use them to describe what a meeting is for and what results from it.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
meeting	a scheduled time to talk and work together	We have a meeting at 10.
agenda	the list of topics a meeting will cover	The agenda is attached.
minutes	written notes of what was discussed and decided	Please send the minutes.
action item	a task assigned after discussion	I have an action item.
follow-up	a later message or meeting to continue work	Let’s do a follow-up tomorrow.

Task and project words help you describe what you are doing and how big it is. A task is usually one piece of work, while a project is a larger effort with many tasks. Use these terms to communicate progress clearly.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
task	a specific piece of work to complete	I finished the task.
project	a larger set of work with a goal and timeline	The project starts Monday.
priority	how important something is compared to other work	This is a top priority.
progress	movement toward completion	We made good progress.
deliverable	the final item you must provide, like a report or file	The deliverable is the report.

Modern workplaces use tools and technology to communicate and organize work. These words help you talk about software, shared files, and technical issues. Use them to request help and describe what you need.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
laptop	a portable computer used for work	My laptop is slow.
email	messages sent electronically for work communication	I sent an email.
chat	a messaging tool for quick communication	Send it in the chat.
document	a file that contains text or information	Please edit the document.
software	programs used to do work tasks	We use accounting software.

Policy and pay vocabulary is used for rules, benefits, and compensation. These words appear in job offers, HR messages, and employee handbooks. Learn them to understand your rights and obligations at work.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
policy	a rule or guideline at a company	Read the policy.
benefits	extra support from a job, like health insurance	The benefits are good.
salary	fixed pay, usually per year	Her salary is competitive.
hourly pay	pay based on hours worked	I get hourly pay.
paycheck	the money you receive on pay day	I got my paycheck.

Office object vocabulary helps you describe everyday items and request what you need. These words are useful for practical conversations in the workplace. Use “a” or “some” depending on whether the noun is countable.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
printer	a machine that prints documents on paper	The printer is out of paper.
paper clip	a small metal clip that holds papers together	I need a paper clip.
filing cabinet	a cabinet used to store documents	The files are in the cabinet.
desk	a table used for working	My desk is near the window.
pen	a tool for writing with ink	Do you have a pen?