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
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
see also have a screw loose
screwed; screwing; screws
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
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
Gregory Simon, quoted in Consumer Reports4
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 curseJ. W. Dean IIIscrew you!
b
: to extract by pressure or threat
5
vulgar
: to copulate with
1
: to rotate like or as a screw
2
: to turn or move with a twisting or writhing motion
3
vulgar
: copulate
screwer
noun
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
Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
As for storage, Gandhi likes to store her screws in their original packaging if possible.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
The next image Tatum shared revealed that a screw had been placed to keep the bones together.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
The teen then underwent surgery, having 14 screws and two rods inserted into his back, according to KTUU.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
The country’s hospitals are so poorly equipped that patients are asked to provide supplies needed for their care, from syringes to surgical screws.
—David Klepper, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Styles came back with a dragon screw followed by a Calf Crusher.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
To prevent future problems, transfer items from bags and boxes into airtight containers that have gaskets or Mason jars with screw-on lids.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
Given the material of choice, this pick could also serve as a multi-tool of sorts as well, with examples on the campaign page including prying open a tricky soda can or a quick screw tightening.
—New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2026
Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Was Tony Kiritsis really screwed out of a legitimate business deal?
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Nevertheless, on a clear if cold day the three walked through several inches of snow, screwing in the new signs.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Basically, our government helped the rich get richer while working families got screwed.
—Ana María Archila, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Were you all screwed by not having anyone in the turret to help protect you?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Add the ground coffee to the funnel filter and screw on the top chamber.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Jan. 2026
That doesn’t mean you’re screwed if your job is highly repetitive.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
In the last few years, Scandinavia has become the global center for all manner of uncanny cloud rock and ambient pop wonder, from the dreamy Danes to screw-pop savants like Smerz.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Garage Hardware Sorter Looking for no-fuss storage for any loose nails and screws?
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
As for storage, Gandhi likes to store her screws in their original packaging if possible.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
The next image Tatum shared revealed that a screw had been placed to keep the bones together.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
The teen then underwent surgery, having 14 screws and two rods inserted into his back, according to KTUU.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
The country’s hospitals are so poorly equipped that patients are asked to provide supplies needed for their care, from syringes to surgical screws.
—David Klepper, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Styles came back with a dragon screw followed by a Calf Crusher.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
To prevent future problems, transfer items from bags and boxes into airtight containers that have gaskets or Mason jars with screw-on lids.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
Given the material of choice, this pick could also serve as a multi-tool of sorts as well, with examples on the campaign page including prying open a tricky soda can or a quick screw tightening.
—New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
Smaller version of the quakes at home Think of a plastic water bottle filled to the rim with the cap firmly screwed on.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Was Tony Kiritsis really screwed out of a legitimate business deal?
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
Nevertheless, on a clear if cold day the three walked through several inches of snow, screwing in the new signs.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Basically, our government helped the rich get richer while working families got screwed.
—Ana María Archila, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Were you all screwed by not having anyone in the turret to help protect you?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Add the ground coffee to the funnel filter and screw on the top chamber.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Jan. 2026
That doesn’t mean you’re screwed if your job is highly repetitive.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
In the last few years, Scandinavia has become the global center for all manner of uncanny cloud rock and ambient pop wonder, from the dreamy Danes to screw-pop savants like Smerz.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screw. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
screw
1 of 2 noun1
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
3
screw
2 of 2 verb1
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
: a threaded device used in bone surgery for fixation of parts (as fragments of fractured bones)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
