a thin, pointed metal rod with a spiral groove running down its length and a slotted head, used to join things together by being rotated so that it pierces wood or other material and is held tightly in place, 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 and through which it is turned to transmit power or motion, a prison guard

tighten the screws, loose screw, put the screws on

screw up, screw around, screw off

Formal and Informal Expressions of screw

In different contexts, you can replace 'screw' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'fastener' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'thingy, doodad' is a commonplace synonym.

screw: Explore its Definition & Usage

screw Definition

1a thin, pointed metal rod with a spiral groove running down its length and a slotted head, used to join things together by being rotated so that it pierces wood or other material and is held tightly in place
2a simple machine of the inclined-plane type consisting of a spirally grooved solid cylinder and a correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder into which it fits and through which it is turned to transmit power or motion
3a prison guard

Using screw: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "screw" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
I need a screw to fix the shelf.
Example
The screw on the lid is too tight.
Example
The screw on the clamp holds the workpiece securely.
Example
The screw on the vise is used to hold the workpiece in place.
Example
The screw on the bottle opener is broken.
Example
The screw on the light bulb is loose.

screw Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for screw

Idioms Using screw

tighten the screws
to increase pressure or control over a situation or person
Example
The boss tightened the screws on the employees to meet the deadline.
loose screw
a crazy or mentally unstable person
Example
I think he has a few loose screws in his head.
put the screws on
to apply pressure or force to get someone to do something
Example
The police put the screws on the suspect to confess.

Phrases with screw

screw up
to make a mistake or do something wrong
Example
I screwed up the presentation by forgetting my notes.
screw around
to waste time or fool around instead of doing something productive
Example
Stop screwing around and get to work!
screw off
to leave or go away, often in a rude or dismissive manner
Example
He told me to screw off when I asked him for help.

Origins of screw

from Old French 'escroue', meaning 'nut, cylindrical socket'

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Summary: screw in Brief

The term 'screw' [skruː] refers to a pointed metal rod with a spiral groove, used to join things together. It can also refer to a simple machine of the inclined-plane type, or a prison guard. The phrase 'screw up' means to make a mistake, while 'screw around' means to waste time. 'Screw off' means to leave rudely. Idioms include 'tighten the screws,' meaning to increase pressure, 'loose screw,' meaning a crazy person, and 'put the screws on,' meaning to apply pressure to get someone to do something.