screw
skroo
Screw (noun) means a metal fastener with a spiral thread, driven in with a twisting motion to hold materials together. Example: “Pass me the screwdriver so I can put a screw in this hinge.”
noun
1
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."
"He tightened the shelf with a few extra screws."
"The screw had rusted and wouldn't budge."
2
A ship's propeller.
"The steamer's screw was damaged on rocks, so it needed repairs in dock."
"A large bronze screw turned slowly at the back of the old liner."
"The vessel's single screw churned up the harbor water."
3
(slang) A prison guard.
"The prisoner kept quiet whenever a screw walked past his cell."
"In old crime novels, a screw usually carries a big ring of keys."
"The inmates called the night-shift screw "Old Bill.""
verb
1
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."
"She screwed the light bulb into the socket."
"Screw the cap back on tightly."
2
(informal) To cheat, mistreat, or ruin things for someone.
"Don't trust that dealer, because he will screw you if he can."
"I felt the landlord had screwed us by keeping our deposit."
"The contractor screwed him over on the final bill."
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.
Common mistake
"Screw up" (mess up) and "screw someone over" (cheat them) are common phrasal uses — don't take them literally.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
tighten a screw
screw something in
screw someone over
a loose screw
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Word forms
- Plural
- screws
- Third person singular
- screws
- Past tense
- screwed, screwn
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Pass me the screwdriver so I can put a _____ in this hinge.
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
View more →Antonyms
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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