WordGarden.iowrench
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈɛntʃ/
US
- /ˈrɛntʃ/
Meanings
Noun
a tool used to grip and turn nuts, bolts, or pipes
a sudden violent pull or twist
a painful feeling of regret, grief, or reluctant separation
Verb
to pull or twist something violently out of place
Beyond the definition
A wrench is best known as a tool for gripping and turning nuts and bolts. Picture a mechanic under the hood of a car or someone fixing a pipe under the sink; a wrench is often the tool they reach for. But "wrench" is also a verb. It means to pull or twist something hard and suddenly. You might wrench your ankle during a soccer match, or someone might wrench a bag out of another person's hand. It is a practical word that works for both tools and rough, sudden movement.
The word "wrench" has two main uses: it can name a tool, and it can describe a strong, sudden action. Most commonly, a wrench is a hand tool used to grip and turn things such as nuts, bolts, and pipes. Mechanics, plumbers, and many home repair workers use different kinds of wrenches, including pipe wrenches, adjustable wrenches, and socket wrenches.
As a verb, "wrench" means to pull, twist, or tear something with force, usually in a sudden way. A person might wrench an ankle, wrench a door open, or wrench an object from someone else's grasp. The word often suggests strain, damage, or resistance. It can describe physical injury, rough movement, or force used to remove something that does not come away easily.
The word also appears in emotional language. For example, "heart-wrenching" describes something that causes deep sadness or pain. That sense grows naturally from the idea of something being twisted or pulled with force. In everyday English, "wrench" is useful because it covers both a common repair tool and the idea of a harsh, sudden twist or pull.
Examples
- 1
Tool
I grabbed a wrench and tightened the loose bolt on my bike.
- 2
Injury
She wrenched her ankle when she slipped on the wet steps.
- 3
Stuck object
He had to wrench the drawer open because it was stuck.
- 4
Theft
The thief tried to wrench the bag from her hands.
- Patternwrench something from someone
pull it away suddenly and by force
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Leaving reluctantly
I finally wrenched myself away from the TV and went to bed.
- Patternwrench yourself away from + activity/place
force yourself to leave it
- 6
Plans disrupted
The train strike threw a wrench into our weekend plans.
- Phrasethrow a wrench into + plan
suddenly cause problems for it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- screwdriver
- pliers
Used with (collocations)
- adjustable wrench
- socket wrench
- pipe wrench
- wrench set
Word family
Explore
- fastener
- hand tool
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- wrenchnounverb
Forms
- wrenching-ing formverbnoun
- wrenchespluralnounverb
- wrenchedpast tenseverbnoun