spanner
Spanner (noun) means a hand tool used to grip and turn nuts and bolts (called a "wrench" in American English). Example: “He reached for the spanner to tighten the bolt.”
How to use spanner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tool for turning nuts and bolts; British English word for what Americans call a "wrench."
British English uses "spanner"; American English uses "wrench" for the same tool.
Word forms
spannered past tense, spanners plural, spanners singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He reached for the _____ to tighten the bolt.
Etymology
From "span" plus the agent suffix "-er" — literally, a thing that spans or grips something.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for spanner
See all rhymes for spanner →Frequently asked questions
What does “spanner” mean?
The word “spanner” means a hand tool used to grip and turn nuts and bolts (called a "wrench" in American English). In plain terms, a tool for turning nuts and bolts; British English word for what Americans call a "wrench.".
How do you pronounce “spanner”?
“Spanner” is pronounced SPAN-uh (/ˈspæn.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “spanner” in a sentence?
Here is “spanner” used in a sentence: “He reached for the spanner to tighten the bolt.”
What is another word for “spanner”?
Words with a similar meaning to “spanner” include wrench.
What part of speech is “spanner”?
“Spanner” is a noun.
How many meanings does “spanner” have?
“Spanner” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hand tool used to grip and turn nuts and bolts (called a "wrench" in American English).