screw
Screw (noun) means a metal fastener with a spiral thread, driven in with a twisting motion to hold materials together. Example: “He tightened the shelf with a few extra screws.”
How to use screw
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly the metal fastener with a spiral groove, or the act of twisting something into place; informally it also means to cheat someone or to mess something up.
"Screw up" (mess up) and "screw someone over" (cheat them) are common phrasal uses — don't take them literally.
Word forms
screwed past tense, screwn past tense, screws plural, screws singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He tightened the shelf with a few extra _____.
Etymology
Traces back through Old French escroue ("nut, screw-socket") to a Latin word for a female pig — the corkscrew shape reminded people of a boar's anatomy, oddly enough. A separate Germanic strand meaning "to cut" likely blended in along the way.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for screw
See all rhymes for screw →Frequently asked questions
What does “screw” mean?
The word “screw” means a metal fastener with a spiral thread, driven in with a twisting motion to hold materials together. In plain terms, most commonly the metal fastener with a spiral groove, or the act of twisting something into place; informally it also means to cheat someone or to mess something up.
How do you pronounce “screw”?
“Screw” is pronounced skroo (/skɹuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “screw” in a sentence?
Here is “screw” used in a sentence: “He tightened the shelf with a few extra screws.”
What is the opposite of “screw”?
The opposite of “screw” — its antonyms — is unscrew.
What part of speech is “screw”?
Depending on how it is used, “screw” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “screw” come from?
The word “screw” comes from Latin.
Is “screw” a common word?
“Screw” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “screw” have?
“Screw” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a metal fastener with a spiral thread, driven in with a twisting motion to hold materials together.
What is the difference between a screw and a nail?
A screw has a spiral thread and is driven in by twisting, which lets it grip material tightly and be removed later. A nail is smooth and hammered straight in, so it holds by friction and is harder to take out cleanly.
What is the difference between a screw and a bolt?
A screw usually cuts or forms its own thread as it is driven into the material it fastens. A bolt passes through a hole and is held in place by a separate nut on the other side.
Why is a ship's propeller called a screw?
The propeller drives a vessel forward with a rotating, spiral motion, much like a screw thread pulling through wood. The fuller term is screw propeller, which is why the propeller alone is often just called the screw.
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