WordGarden.ioscrew
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /skrˈuː/
US
- /ˈskru/
Meanings
Noun
a threaded metal fastener used to hold things together
Verb
to fasten, tighten, or attach by twisting, especially with a screw
(slang)to cheat, exploit, or badly disadvantage someone
(slang)to have sex with someone
Beyond the definition
A screw is first of all a small metal fastener with a spiral shape, used to hold things together in furniture, walls, machines, and many other objects. As a verb, it can mean to turn something into place by twisting it. But in everyday English, especially informal English, it often has rougher meanings. If someone screws you over, they treat you unfairly or cheat you. If something is screwed up, it is ruined, damaged, or in a bad state. The phrase have a screw loose is also common and means that someone seems strange or not fully sensible.
So this is a very flexible word. It can sound practical and mechanical in one sentence, then sharp or insulting in the next.
The word "screw" starts in the physical world. A screw is a small metal fastener with a spiral thread, made to go into wood, metal, or another material and hold parts together. You see screws in shelves, doors, toys, tools, and electronics. From that noun comes the verb to screw, which often means to twist something into place or to attach it with this kind of fastener. In this sense, the word is simple, practical, and very common.
But English gives this word several informal meanings too. One of the most common is to screw someone over, which means to treat them badly, cheat them, or leave them with a worse outcome. Another very common form is screwed up. It can describe a person who made a mistake, a thing that is badly damaged, or a situation that has gone wrong: "I screwed up" means "I made a bad mistake," while "The plan is screwed up" means the plan is in a bad state. People also say "We're screwed" when they mean there is serious trouble and no easy way out.
There are a few set expressions built around the word. If someone has a screw loose, they seem odd, irrational, or not mentally steady. In some contexts, especially older slang, the screws can mean pressure or tight control, though that use is less central for most learners. The word also has a vulgar sexual meaning as a verb and sometimes as a noun, so learners should know that it can sound crude depending on the sentence.
So "screw" is one of those words that moves easily between the toolbox and everyday speech. It may refer to a basic object, a twisting action, a mistake, unfair treatment, serious trouble, or a vulgar sexual idea. The exact meaning depends heavily on context.
Examples
- 1
Hardware
I found a loose screw under the table.
- 2
Home repair
She screwed the new handle onto the door.
- 3
Bottle lid
Screw the lid on tightly before you shake the bottle.
- Patternscrew + object + on
close or attach it by turning
- 4
Date mistake
I screwed up the date and missed the appointment.
- Phrasescrew up
make a mistake
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
System problems
One bad update can screw up the whole system.
- Patternscrew up + something
cause problems for it
- 6
Unfair treatment
The phone company screwed us over on the cancellation fee.
- Usagescrew someone over
treat someone very unfairly; informal
- 7
Settings
Don't screw around with the settings unless you know what they do.
- Usagescrew around with
mess with something carelessly or casually; informal
- 8
Serious trouble
If we don't submit the form today, we're screwed.
- Usagebe screwed
be in serious trouble; informal
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- screwnounverb
Forms
- screwedpast tenseverbnoun
- screwspluralnounverb
- screwing-ing formverbnoun