noun
Uncommon
screwdriver
SKROO-dryv
Screwdriver (noun) means a hand tool with a shaped tip used to turn screws. Example: “He kept a small screwdriver in his desk drawer for tightening glasses.”
noun
1
A hand tool with a shaped tip used to turn screws.
"He kept a small screwdriver in his desk drawer for tightening glasses."
"You'll need a Phillips screwdriver for these screws."
2
A cocktail made from vodka and orange juice.
"She ordered a screwdriver at the brunch bar."
How to use screwdriver
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually the tool for turning screws; also a vodka-and-orange-juice cocktail.
Common pairings
flathead screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
order a screwdriver
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Word forms
- Plural
- screwdrivers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He kept a small _____ in his desk drawer for tightening glasses.
Etymology
A simple compound of screw + driver — a tool that "drives" screws. The cocktail sense came much later, reportedly named for oil workers who stirred their drinks with an actual screwdriver.
Rhymes for screwdriver
See all rhymes for screwdriver →Frequently asked questions
What does “screwdriver” mean?
The word “screwdriver” means a hand tool with a shaped tip used to turn screws. In plain terms, usually the tool for turning screws; also a vodka-and-orange-juice cocktail.
How do you pronounce “screwdriver”?
“Screwdriver” is pronounced SKROO-dryv (/ˈskɹuˌdɹaɪvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “screwdriver” in a sentence?
Here is “screwdriver” used in a sentence: “He kept a small screwdriver in his desk drawer for tightening glasses.”
What part of speech is “screwdriver”?
“Screwdriver” is a noun.
Is “screwdriver” a common word?
“Screwdriver” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “screwdriver” have?
“Screwdriver” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hand tool with a shaped tip used to turn screws.
