wrench
REHNCH
Wrench (noun) means US: a hand tool used to grip and turn nuts, bolts, or pipes; called a spanner in British English. Example: “He grabbed a wrench from the toolbox to tighten the bolt.”
noun
1
US: a hand tool used to grip and turn nuts, bolts, or pipes; called a spanner in British English.
"He grabbed a wrench from the toolbox to tighten the bolt."
2
A sudden painful twist or pull, often figurative, describing an emotional wrench of separation.
"Leaving her childhood home was an emotional wrench."
verb
1
To pull or twist something suddenly and violently.
"She wrenched the door open before it could lock again."
"He wrenched his knee jumping off the wall."
How to use wrench
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the tool for turning bolts, or a sudden violent twist (literal or emotional).
UK vs US
Americans say "wrench" for the tool; British English usually says "spanner".
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Word forms
- Plural
- wrenches
- Third person singular
- wrenches
- Past tense
- wrenched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He grabbed a _____ from the toolbox to tighten the bolt.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English wrench, from Old English wrenċ, from Proto-Germanic *wrankiz, from Proto-Indo-European *wreng- (“to turn”). Compare German Rank (“plot, intrigue”).
Related words
Rhymes for wrench
See all rhymes for wrench →Frequently asked questions
What does “wrench” mean?
The word “wrench” means uS: a hand tool used to grip and turn nuts, bolts, or pipes; called a spanner in British English. In plain terms, either the tool for turning bolts, or a sudden violent twist (literal or emotional).
How do you pronounce “wrench”?
“Wrench” is pronounced REHNCH (/ˈɹɛnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wrench” in a sentence?
Here is “wrench” used in a sentence: “He grabbed a wrench from the toolbox to tighten the bolt.”
What part of speech is “wrench”?
Depending on how it is used, “wrench” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “wrench” a common word?
“Wrench” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “wrench” have?
“Wrench” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: uS: a hand tool used to grip and turn nuts, bolts, or pipes; called a spanner in British English.
