teleworking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Business, Technical
Quick answer
What does “teleworking” mean?
The practice of working from home or another remote location, using telecommunications technology to communicate and perform job duties.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice of working from home or another remote location, using telecommunications technology to communicate and perform job duties.
A flexible work arrangement that substitutes remote digital connectivity for traditional physical presence in an office, often as part of a company's policy or a lifestyle choice. It can refer to the system itself or the act of doing it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both terms are used in both varieties. 'Telecommuting' is slightly more common in American English, while 'teleworking' is well-established in UK/EU policy discourse.
Connotations
In the UK, 'teleworking' often appears in official government and HR contexts. In the US, 'remote work' or 'working from home' are more common in everyday speech.
Frequency
The term surged in frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Teleworking' remains more frequent in written, formal contexts than in casual conversation in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “teleworking” in a Sentence
[company] introduced teleworking for [employees].Teleworking from [location] has become normal.She is teleworking three days a week.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “teleworking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She teleworks on Fridays to avoid the commute.
- The new software allows staff to telework securely.
American English
- He telecommutes for a tech firm in California.
- Many employees now telework at least part-time.
adverb
British English
- He works teleworkingly, which is a clumsy form; prefer 'He works remotely'.
American English
- She is employed teleworkingly, which is a clumsy form; prefer 'She is employed in a telework capacity'.
adjective
British English
- They discussed the new teleworking guidelines.
- A teleworking agreement must be signed.
American English
- She has a teleworking setup in her spare room.
- The telecommuting policy was updated last quarter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR policies, corporate communications, and discussions about work flexibility and cost savings.
Academic
Appears in research on labour economics, sociology of work, and information technology studies.
Everyday
Less common than 'working from home', but understood when used.
Technical
Used in IT and telecommunications fields when discussing the infrastructure enabling remote work.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “teleworking”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “teleworking”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “teleworking”
- Using 'teleworking' as a verb for a single action ('I teleworked yesterday' sounds odd; prefer 'I worked from home'). Confusing it with 'freelancing' (teleworking is often for a single employer).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar, but 'teleworking' is a more formal, systemic term often referring to an official policy, while 'working from home' is the everyday phrase for the activity.
They are largely synonymous. 'Telecommuting' specifically implies replacing a physical commute, while 'teleworking' can describe any remote work using tech, even for someone who wouldn't normally commute.
Yes ('to telework'), but it is less common in casual speech than 'work remotely' or 'work from home'. It is more natural as a noun or adjective.
A reliable computer, stable high-speed internet connection, and appropriate communication software (e.g., for video calls and messaging) are considered essential.
The practice of working from home or another remote location, using telecommunications technology to communicate and perform job duties.
Teleworking is usually formal, business, technical in register.
Teleworking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtel.iˌwɜː.kɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtel.əˌwɝː.kɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a strong idiom carrier; more a technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TELEphone + WORKING = working via distance communication.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE OFFICE IS A NETWORK (not a physical place).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'teleworking' in a formal business report?