screw

23 synonyms and 1 antonym for screw, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A metal fastener with a spiral thread, driven in with a twisting motion to hold materials together.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

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Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

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Rare, literary or technical

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

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Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A metal fastener with a spiral thread, driven in with a twisting motion to hold materials together.

“Pass me the screwdriver so I can put a screw in this hinge.”

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Opposites

unscrew

2. verb

To attach or fasten something using a screw, or by twisting it into place.

“He screwed the bracket to the wall before hanging the heavy mirror.”

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Opposites

unscrew

How to use screw

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

tighten a screw screw something in screw someone over a loose screw

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.

Full origin of 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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Nearby words

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