Toiling

/ˈtɔɪlɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

verb
to work extremely hard or incessantly.
She spent the whole summer toiling in the fields to earn enough money for college.
to move slowly and with difficulty.
The travelers were toiling up the steep hill, exhausted but determined to reach the summit.

Etymology

Middle English 'toilen', from Old French 'toile' meaning 'to work'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

toiling away:
Working diligently and continuously on a task.
toiling in the trenches:
Working hard at the most basic level of an activity, often in difficult conditions.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

Grinding
I'm grinding at my job all week.
Hustling
I'm hustling to make ends meet.