bolt

11 synonyms and 1 antonym for bolt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A metal fastener with a threaded shaft, used with a nut to hold things together.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

dash dart flee sprint

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fastener deadbolt thunderbolt abscond decamp gobble absquatulate

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A metal fastener with a threaded shaft, used with a nut to hold things together.

“The mechanic replaced a rusty bolt on the wheel of the trailer.”

dash dart flee sprint fastener deadbolt thunderbolt

2. verb

To run away suddenly, or move very fast.

“The frightened horse bolted across the field when the fireworks started.”

abscond decamp gobble absquatulate

Opposites

unbolt

How to use bolt

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

bolt the door bolt of lightning bolt upright nuts and bolts

Etymology

From Old English bolt, a Germanic word for an arrow or short shaft — the sense of a sudden dash or a lightning strike grew from the idea of something shooting out fast, like an arrow.

Full origin of bolt →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bolt” mean?

The word “bolt” means a metal fastener with a threaded shaft, used with a nut to hold things together. In plain terms, a metal fastener, a door lock, a lightning flash, or (as a verb) to run off suddenly.

How do you pronounce “bolt”?

“Bolt” is pronounced bolt (/boʊlt/ in IPA).

How do you use “bolt” in a sentence?

Here is “bolt” used in a sentence: “He tightened the bolts on the shelf bracket.”

What part of speech is “bolt”?

Depending on how it is used, “bolt” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “bolt” come from?

The word “bolt” comes from Old English. From Old English bolt, a Germanic word for an arrow or short shaft — the sense of a sudden dash or a lightning strike grew from the idea of something shooting out fast, like an arrow.

Is “bolt” a common word?

“Bolt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “bolt” have?

“Bolt” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a metal fastener with a threaded shaft, used with a nut to hold things together.

What is the difference between a bolt and a screw?

A bolt is a metal fastener with a threaded shaft that passes through the parts being joined and is secured with a nut. A screw usually cuts its own thread into the material and holds without a nut. As a rule of thumb, if it needs a nut to clamp things together, it is a bolt.

What is the difference between a bolt and a latch on a door?

A bolt is a sliding bar that you move across to lock a door. A latch is a catch that simply holds the door closed and opens with a handle, without locking it. Many doors combine the two: a latch for everyday use and a bolt for security.

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sprint dash flee dart absquatulate abscond decamp fastener unbolt gobble thunderbolt

Nearby words

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