noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

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

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."

A sudden painful twist or pull, often figurative, describing an emotional wrench of separation.

"Leaving her childhood home was an emotional wrench."

verb

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 notes

In 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".

Easily confused with

spanner →

Word forms

wrenched past tense, wrenches plural, Wrenches plural, wrenches singular

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Fill the gap

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He grabbed a _____ from the toolbox to tighten the bolt.

Etymology

From Middle English wrench, from Old English wrenċ, from Proto-Germanic *wrankiz, from Proto-Indo-European *wreng- (“to turn”). Compare German Rank (“plot, intrigue”).

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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turn pull rick twist wring sprain spanner wrick

Related words

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Rhymes for wrench

inch bench conch lunch punch wench finch lynch cinch pinch bunch winch

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.

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