work vs be

work is a noun but be is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
work	Yes	No	Yes	No
be	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, be is a hypernym of work; that is, be is a word with a broader meaning than work:

work: behave in a certain way when handled
be: have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)

work (noun)	be (noun)
activity directed toward making or doing something
the occupation for which you are paid
a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing
a place where work is done
the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)
applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)
(physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force

work (verb)	be (verb)
give a workout to	spend or use time
arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion	work in a specific place, with a specific subject, or in a specific function
go sour or spoil	have an existence, be extant
cause to undergo fermentation	have life, be alive
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of	form or compose
use or manipulate to one's advantage	have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
to mix into a homogeneous mass	occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere
perform as expected when applied	be identical to; be someone or something
move into or onto	be identical or equivalent to
shape, form, or improve a material	represent, as of a character on stage
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence	be priced at
prepare for crops	to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted -- used only in infinitive form
make something, usually for a specific function
gratify and charm, usually in order to influence
proceed along a path
move in an agitated manner
provoke or excite
be employed
cause to work
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity; work
have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
operate in a certain place, area, or specialty
proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity
have and exert influence or effect
operate in or through
cause to operate or function
behave in a certain way when handled