screw
screw Lexical Profile
screw Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A short, slender, sharp-pointed metal pin with a raised helical thread running around it and a slotted head, used to join things together by being rotated so that it pierces material.
"He used a screwdriver to tighten the loose screw in the door hinge."
A propeller with several angled blades, used to propel a ship or submarine through water.
"The massive twin screws of the ocean liner churned the water as the ship departed the harbor."
An act of turning or twisting a cylindrical object to tighten or secure it.
"Give the jar lid a final screw to ensure it is completely sealed."
• verb
To fasten or tighten something using a screw or screws.
"She carefully screwed the metal bracket into the wall to support the heavy bookshelf."
To rotate or twist something into a secured place.
"He screwed the cap back onto the bottle tightly to prevent the chemicals from leaking."
To cheat, swindle, or severely mistreat someone, or to completely ruin a situation (informal).
"The corrupt contractor screwed them out of thousands of dollars by abandoning the project halfway through."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'screw' is standard terminology for the mechanical fastener, its informal verb usage can mean to cheat or ruin (e.g., 'screw over', 'screw up') and frequently carries vulgar sexual connotations in highly informal contexts.
• Rhymes for screw
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English: from Old French escroe 'nut, cylinder', of unknown ultimate origin.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.