1 have a screw loose | Definition of have a screw loose
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screw

noun
\ ˈskrü How to pronounce screw (audio) \

Definition of screw

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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
b : a nail-shaped or rod-shaped piece with a spiral groove and a slotted or recessed head designed to be inserted into material by rotating (as with a screwdriver) and used for fastening pieces of solid material together
2a : a screwlike form : spiral
b : a turn of a screw also : a twist like the turn of a screw
c : a screwlike device (such as a corkscrew)
3 : a worn-out horse
4 chiefly British : a small packet (as of tobacco)
5 : a prison guard
6 : a person who bargains shrewdly also : skinflint
7 : a propeller especially of a ship
8a : thumbscrew sense 1
b : pressure or punitive measures intended to coerce —used chiefly in the phrase put the screws on or put the screws to
9a vulgar : an act of sexual intercourse
b vulgar : a partner in sexual intercourse
have a screw loose
: to be mentally unbalanced

screw

verb
screwed; screwing; screws

Definition of screw (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a(1) : to attach, fasten, or close by means of a screw
(2) : to unite or separate by means of a screw or a twisting motion
(3) : to press tightly in a device (such as a vise) operated by a screw
(4) : to operate, tighten, or adjust by means of a screw
(5) : to torture by means of a thumbscrew
b : to cause to rotate spirally about an axis
2a(1) : to twist into strained configurations : contort screwed up his face
(2) : squint
(3) : crumple
b : to furnish with a spiral groove or ridge : thread
3 : to increase the intensity, quantity, or capability of trying to screw up courage to confess— Will Scott
4a(1) : to mistreat or exploit through extortion, trickery, or unfair actions especially : to deprive of or cheat out of something due or expected
(2) : to treat so as to bring about injury or loss (as to a person's reputation) use the available Federal machinery to screw our political enemies— J. W. Dean III —often used as a generalized curse screw you!
b : to extract by pressure or threat
5 vulgar : to copulate with

intransitive verb

1 : to rotate like or as a screw
2 : to turn or move with a twisting or writhing motion
3 vulgar : copulate
Other Words from screw Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about screw

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Other Words from screw

Noun

screwlike \ ˈskrü-​ËŒlÄ«k How to pronounce screwlike (audio) \ adjective

Verb

screwer noun

Examples of screw in a Sentence

Verb

 I screwed the boards together. The cupboards are screwed to the wall. Screw the cap on tight. Screw the light bulb into the fixture. The lid screws onto the jar. The light bulb screws right in.
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First Known Use of screw

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

History and Etymology for screw

Noun

Middle English scrue, from Middle French escroe female screw, nut, from Medieval Latin scrofa, from Latin, sow

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More Definitions for screw

screw

noun
How to pronounce screw (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of screw

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a narrow, pointed metal cylinder that has a wide flat or rounded top and a ridge (called a thread) that goes around it in a spiral
: an object that has a thread like a screw which is used to attach or connect it to something
: an act of sexual intercourse

screw

verb

English Language Learners Definition of screw (Entry 2 of 2)

: to attach (something) with a

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