unscrew

verb

un·​screw ˌən-ˈskrü 

unscrewed; unscrewing; unscrews

transitive verb

1

: to draw the screws from

2

: to loosen or withdraw by turning

intransitive verb

: to become or admit of being unscrewed

The lid unscrews easily.

Examples of unscrew in a Sentence

I unscrewed the jar lid.

You'll need to unscrew the cover before you remove it.

Recent Examples on the Web

Disconnect the wires from the old switch, unscrew it, and install a new one. — Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026

To do so, open the door completely, unscrew the inner panel, and lift it back towards the oven while holding the outer panel parallel to the floor. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 16 Aug. 2026

To remove hard water buildup from the aerator, unscrew it from the faucet and soak it in a small bowl of vinegar for 30 to 60 minutes. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

That enables robots to perform tasks like sealing a Ziploc, tying a trash bag, or unscrewing a lightbulb. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for unscrew

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

unscrew

verb

un·​screw ˌən-ˈskrü 

ˈən-

1

: to remove the screws from

2

: to loosen or withdraw by turning

unscrew a lightbulb