workaround
C1Neutral to informal, common in technical, business, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A temporary or alternative method or solution used to bypass a problem, obstacle, or limitation, especially in systems or procedures.
A practical but often less-than-ideal strategy employed to achieve a goal when the standard or intended method is blocked or unavailable. It implies ingenuity in overcoming an unforeseen or persistent difficulty.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally from computing/IT, now widely generalized. Connotes pragmatism and a temporary fix. Often implies the underlying problem remains unresolved.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The term is equally common and used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more established in technical jargon in American English due to Silicon Valley influence, but the gap has closed.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N for N (a workaround for the bug)N to INF (a workaround to access the data)V N (to workaround the issue - less common verb use)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a fix, it's just a workaround.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We need a workaround to keep the project on schedule while procurement sorts out the contract.
Academic
The study employed a statistical workaround to compensate for the missing data points.
Everyday
My key broke, so I used a paperclip as a workaround to unlock the door.
Technical
Apply this registry edit as a workaround until the patch is released next Tuesday.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They managed to workaround the licensing issue by using an open-source library.
American English
- We'll have to workaround the system glitch until IT can fix it.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I found a workaround for the printer problem: I restart it every time.
- The team developed a clever workaround to avoid the software's limitation, saving us weeks of delay.
- While the security flaw is being patched, administrators should implement the recommended workaround to mitigate any immediate risk.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: You can't WORK because there's a roadblock AROUND which you must find a way. The WORKAROUND is your detour.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE OBSTACLES/BLOCKAGES; SOLUTIONS ARE PATHS. A workaround is a DETOUR or BYPASS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like 'рабочий вокруг'.
- Do not confuse with 'способ' (way/method) which lacks the 'temporary bypass' nuance.
- Closest conceptual equivalents: 'обходной путь', 'временное решение', 'костыль' (slang, like 'kludge').
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb ('Let's workaround this') is informal and less accepted than 'find a workaround for this'.
- Spelling as two words ('work around') when used as a noun; the noun is solid.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'workaround' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but widely accepted in professional and technical writing. In very formal documents, 'temporary expedient' or 'interim solution' might be preferred.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'to workaround a problem'), but it's often considered jargon or poor style. It's safer and more standard to use 'find a workaround for' or 'bypass'.
A workaround is a temporary bypass that doesn't fix the root cause. A solution resolves the underlying problem permanently.
They overlap significantly. A 'hack' often implies a clever, unorthodox, or rough workaround, especially in computing. 'Workaround' is a broader, slightly more neutral term.