screw

/skru/

/skru/

Other forms: screwed; screws; screwing

A screw is a small metal rod with a notch in the top that's used as a fastener. You can attach one piece of wood to another by rotating a screw through the two surfaces.

A screw is similar to a nail, but instead of hammering it in, you turn it repeatedly with a screwdriver. The spiral ridges of a screw attach it securely to whatever you screw it into — metal, wood, or a bolt with similar ridges. Etymologists aren't sure about the origins of screw, although some suspect it comes from the Latin scrobis, "ridge or trench."

Definitions of screw

1. noun

   a simple machine of the inclined-plane type consisting of a spirally threaded cylindrical rod that engages with a similarly threaded hole
   type of:

   inclined plane

   a simple machine for elevating objects; consists of plane surface that makes an acute angle with the horizontal
2. noun

   a fastener with a tapered threaded shank and a slotted head
   types:

   Allen screw

   a screw with a hexagonal hole in the head

   bolt

   a screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener

   cap screw

   a threaded screw for machine parts; screws into a tapped hole

   machine screw

   a screw used either with a nut or with a tapped hole; slotted head can be driven by a screwdriver

   metal screw

   screw made of metal

   Phillips screw

   a screw with a special head having crossed slots

   setscrew

   a screw (often without a head) that fits into the boss or hub of a wheel or cam etc. and prevents motion of the part relative to the shaft on which it is mounted

   setscrew

   a screw that is used to adjust the tension on a spring

   thumbscrew

   screw designed to be turned with the thumb and fingers

   woodscrew

   a metal screw that tapers to a point so that it can be driven into wood with a screwdriver

   worm

   screw thread on a gear with the teeth of a worm wheel or rack

   carriage bolt

   a roundheaded bolt for timber; threaded along part of the shank; inserted into holes already drilled

   expansion bolt

   a bolt that has an attachment that expands as the bolt is driven into a surface

   kingbolt, kingpin, swivel pin

   bolt that provides a steering joint in a motor vehicle

   lag bolt, lag screw

   a heavy woodscrew with a square or hexagonal head that is driven in with a wrench

   machine bolt

   a bolt with a square or hexagonal head on one end and a threaded shaft on the other end; tightened with a wrench; used to connect metal parts

   screw eye

   a woodscrew having its shank bent into a ring

   stove bolt

   a small machine bolt

   type of:

   fastener, fastening, fixing, holdfast

   restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
3. noun

   a propeller with several angled blades that rotates to push against water or air
   synonyms: screw propeller

   type of:

   propeller, propellor

   a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water
4. verb

   turn like a screw
   types:

   screw up

   screw or turn higher

   type of:

   go around, revolve, rotate

   turn on or around an axis or a center
5. verb

   cause to penetrate, as with a circular motion
   synonyms: drive in

   type of:

   go around, revolve, rotate

   turn on or around an axis or a center
6. verb

   tighten or fasten by means of screwing motions
   “Screw the bottle cap on”

   antonyms:

   unscrew

   loosen by turning

   type of:

   fasten, tighten

   make tight or tighter
7. verb

   have sexual intercourse with
   synonyms: have intercourse, have sex, love, roll in the hay

   make out, neck

   kiss, embrace, or fondle with sexual passion

   types:

   have, take

   have sex with; archaic use

   fornicate

   have sex without being married

   swing

   engage freely in promiscuous sex, often with the husband or wife of one's friends

   bed-hop, bedhop, sleep around

   be sexually active with more than one partner
8. noun

   slang for sexual intercourse
   synonyms: roll in the hay
9. noun

   someone who guards prisoners
   synonyms: gaoler, jailer, jailor, prison guard, turnkey

   type of:

   keeper

   someone in charge of other people

   law officer, lawman, peace officer

   an officer of the law
10. verb

    defeat someone through trickery or deceit
    synonyms: cheat, chicane, chouse, jockey, shaft

    type of:

    beat, beat out, crush, shell, trounce, vanquish

    come out better in a competition, race, or conflict