screwup

1 of 2

noun

screw·​up ˈskrü-ˌəp 

1

: one who screws up

2

: botch, blunder

screw up

2 of 2

verb

screwed up; screwing up; screws up

transitive verb

1

: to tighten, fasten, or lock by or as if by a screw

2

a

: bungle, botch

b

: to cause to act or function in an erratic or confused way : confound, disturb

intransitive verb

: to botch an activity or undertaking

Synonyms

Noun

• mistake
• blunder
• error

Verb

• fumble
• stumble
• trip
• slip up
• lay an egg
• drop the ball
• foul up
• goof (up)
• louse up

Examples of screwup in a Sentence

Noun

That was a major screwup.

She's a screwup who can't hold down a job.

Verb

we all screw up from time to time, so don't sweat it

you've totally screwed up the spreadsheet

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The screwup was first discovered by John Fasana, a former Duarte city councilmember who sits on the county’s governance reform task force, which is tasked with implementing the government overhaul. —Rebecca Ellis follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025

The interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya were massive screwups. —Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2019

Verb

Democrats are facing pressure to fight Trump, Republicans are cutting spending with the rescissions package, and somehow Congress always finds a way to screw up the regular spending bill process. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 July 2025

Now the most popular thing on this carnival ride is the Home Run Derby, which isn’t baseball, but a show of strength — and to me, a clown show with juiced baseballs. Tatis wisely chose to skip this Derby, which has been known to screw up swings. —Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1625, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

screwup

1 of 2 noun

screw·​up ˈskrü-ˌəp 

1

: one who screws up

2

: botch entry 2, blunder

screw up

2 of 2 verb

1

: to tighten, fasten, or lock by or as if by a screw

2

a

: botch entry 1

b

: to cause to act in an odd or confused way