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Screw
01
a small pointy piece of metal that can be fasten into wooden or metal objects using a screwdriver to hold things together
Examples
He used a screwdriver to tighten the screws holding the shelves to the wall.
The carpenter inserted screws into the wooden boards to construct the frame.
02
an act of sexual intercourse
SlangExamples
He bragged about getting a screw, which offended everyone.
He only cared about a quick screw, not a relationship.
03
a propeller with angled blades that rotates to move a ship or aircraft through water or air
Examples
The boat 's screw churned up the water.
Divers checked the ship 's screw for damage.
04
a simple machine based on an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder, converting rotational motion into linear motion
Examples
The screw is one of the six classical simple machines.
Archimedes ' screw was used to lift water.
05
a prison guard
Dialect
British
BritishSlangExamples
The prisoners taunted the screw during roll call.
The screw kept watch over the cell block.
to screw
01
to cheat or take advantage of someone unfairly, often for financial gain
Transitive: to screw sb
Examples
The shady contractor screwed his clients by using cheap materials and overcharging for shoddy workmanship.
The used car salesman tried to screw me by selling me a lemon without disclosing its mechanical problems.
02
to firmly attach or tighten something using a turning metal fastener
Transitive: to screw sth to a support structure | to screw sth onto a support structure
Examples
He screwed the shelf to the wall to ensure it was securely attached.
The technician screws the panels onto the chassis to complete the assembly of the machine.
03
to tighten something by rotating it in a twisting motion
Transitive: to screw sth to sth | to screw sth into sth | to screw sth onto sth
Examples
She screwed the lid tightly onto the jar to keep the contents fresh.
She carefully screwed the lightbulb into the socket, illuminating the room.
04
to engage in sexual intercourse
Transitive: to screw sb
Examples
He boasted about how many women he had screwed.
Despite his promises of commitment, he ended up screwing her and leaving without a word.
Lexical Tree
screwy
screw
