I had been telling me daughter that energy is the capacity for doing work. However I realised this isn't really accurate, so I've been googling around for a better definition, without much success so far. My confusion is summarised in this ChatGPT session.

Can anyone help me understand what "energy" really is?

@jh when I saw your post, I remembered reading Feynman’s explanation as a kid. https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/I_04.html Energy is a number we make up to ensure it conserved. If it looks like it’s not being conserved, we look for other places it can hide.
The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol. I Ch. 4: Conservation of Energy