screw

1 of 2

noun

ˈskrü 

plural screws

1

a

: a simple machine of the inclined plane type consisting of a spirally grooved solid cylinder and a correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder into which it fits

b

: a nail-shaped or rod-shaped piece with a spiral groove and a slotted or recessed head designed to be inserted into material by rotating (as with a screwdriver) and used for fastening pieces of solid material together

2

a

: a form that resembles a screw : spiral

b

: a turn of a screw

also : a twist like the turn of a screw

c

: a device (such as a corkscrew) that resembles a screw

3

: a worn-out horse

4

chiefly British : a small packet (as of tobacco)

5

: a prison guard

6

: a person who bargains shrewdly

also : skinflint

7

: a propeller especially of a ship

8

a

: thumbscrew sense 1

b

: pressure or punitive measures intended to coerce

—used chiefly in the phrase put the screws on or put the screws to

9

a

vulgar : an act of sexual intercourse

b

vulgar : a partner in sexual intercourse

screwlike

ˈskrü-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also:

have a screw loose

screw

2 of 2

verb

screwed; screwing; screws

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to attach, fasten, or close by means of a screw

(2)

: to unite or separate by means of a screw or a twisting motion

(3)

: to press tightly in a device (such as a vise) operated by a screw

(4)

: to operate, tighten, or adjust by means of a screw

(5)

: to torture by means of a thumbscrew

b

: to cause to rotate spirally about an axis

2

a(1)

: to twist into strained configurations : contort

screwed up his face

(2)

: squint

(3)

: crumple

b

: to furnish with a spiral groove or ridge : thread

3

: to increase the intensity, quantity, or capability of

If one can screw up the courage to ask, word-of-mouth recommendations are very good.

—Gregory Simon, quoted in Consumer Reports

4

a(1)

: to mistreat or exploit through extortion, trickery, or unfair actions

especially : to deprive of or cheat out of something due or expected

(2)

: to treat so as to bring about injury or loss (as to a person's reputation)

… use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies.

—J. W. Dean III

—often used as a generalized curse

screw you!

b

: to extract by pressure or threat

5

vulgar : to copulate with

intransitive verb

1

: to rotate like or as a screw

2

: to turn or move with a twisting or writhing motion

3

vulgar : copulate

screwer noun

Synonyms of screw

Verb

• distort
• deform
• contort
• curl

Examples of screw in a Sentence

Verb

I screwed the boards together.

The cupboards are screwed to the wall.

Screw the cap on tight.

Screw the light bulb into the fixture.

The lid screws onto the jar.

The light bulb screws right in.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Aimed at tackling the global electronic waste (e-waste) crisis, this innovation offers a sustainable alternative to permanent joining methods such as solder and screws. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026

Part of the genius of the very minimalist String shelving is that the wire brackets are attached to the wall with a single, visible screw on each corner. —Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2026

The collar includes a thumb screw to lock it into place and two strap lugs. —Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 13 May 2026

The Dogosophy Button package includes the transmitter, the receiver, and some screws and adhesive fasteners to attach the button to surfaces. —Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 12 May 2026

Check the inside panel of the door for screws that align with the handle and remove them. —Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 11 May 2026

The only deviations from the hue can be found on the steel screws on the bezel, the titanium caseback and crown chip, and the white accents on the dial. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 May 2026

Here, the landscape designer added detail with an apple tree affixed to the side of the house with wire and screws. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 May 2026

Plates, screws and rods were used to stabilize Pohle’s spine after the incident, according to WBNS. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026

Verb

Put the stopper back in the sink before re-screwing the pivot nut, horizontal rod, and sliding your under sink items back into place. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026

Finally, the professional will install hangers to reinforce your gutters before screwing the mesh guard on top. —Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 4 May 2026

And to screw your head onto any of it was really impossible to do. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2026

If Miranda Priestly can get thrown in steerage, we’re all screwed. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

But that doesn’t mean working people aren’t getting screwed. —Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026

Hunt noted that there was an air conditioner screwed into the window. —Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Mechanics across the continent screwed, hammered and welded Sheila to keep her together, sometimes shaking their heads at the madness of it all. —ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026

Without brothers, father, I would be screwed. —Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scrue, from Middle French escroe female screw, nut, from Medieval Latin scrofa, from Latin, sow

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing screw

• Allen screw
• got a screw loose
• have a loose screw
• have a screw loose
• Phillips-head screw
• Phillips screw
• screw around
• screw cap/top
• screw eye
• screw it
• screw jack
• screw one's face/eyes up
• screw pine
• screw propeller
• screw the pooch
• screw thread
• screw-top
• screw up
• screw up one's face/eyes
• screw up the/one's courage

Rhymes for screw

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

screw

1 of 2 noun

ˈskrü 

1

a

: a simple machine consisting of a solid cylinder with a winding groove around it and a correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder into which it fits

b

: a nail-shaped or rod-shaped metal piece with a winding groove used for fastening solid pieces together

2

a

: something having the shape of a screw : spiral

b

: the act of screwing tight : twist

c

: a screw-shaped device (as a corkscrew)

3

: propeller

screwlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

screw

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to attach, fasten, or close with a screw

b

: to operate, tighten, or adjust with a screw

c

: to turn or twist on a screwlike thread

2

: to twist out of shape

a face screwed up in pain

3

: to increase in amount

trying to screw up enough nerve to ask

screwer noun

Medical Definition

screw

noun

ˈskrü 

: a threaded device used in bone surgery for fixation of parts (as fragments of fractured bones)