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

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

According to the complaint, the local fire department arrived and informed the homeowners that the tenants allegedly unscrewed the toilet and intentionally damaged the pipes. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025

Anticipation filled the air Monday as a team of professional movers, overseen by a Chinese official from the mausoleum site museum, unscrewed the final bolts from blue shipping containers containing the artifacts. —Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 19 May 2025

Begin by unscrewing the hinges to remove the warped cabinet door. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025

This just made this little kid's entire day figuring out how to screw unscrew a water bottle. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025

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