claw hammer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Everyday, Technical (carpentry, DIY). The term is neutral and widely understood.
Quick answer
What does “claw hammer” mean?
A hammer with a flat striking face on one side and a forked, curved 'claw' on the other side, used for pulling out nails.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hammer with a flat striking face on one side and a forked, curved 'claw' on the other side, used for pulling out nails.
1) A specific style of hammer used primarily in woodworking and carpentry. 2) Informally, can refer to an action or event that is one-sided, forceful, or crude (metaphorically 'like using a claw hammer').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The tool and term are identical. The metaphorical use may be slightly more common in AmE journalistic/colloquial contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in technical contexts. In metaphorical use, it connotes a lack of finesse or a blunt, forceful approach.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects in the literal sense.
Grammar
How to Use “claw hammer” in a Sentence
Use [a claw hammer] to [pull out the nail][The carpenter] [reached for] his [claw hammer].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “claw hammer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Non-standard as a verb.
American English
- Non-standard as a verb. 'To hammer' is used.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He took a claw-hammer approach to the problem (metaphorical).
American English
- It was a real claw hammer negotiation (metaphorical).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in retail (hardware) or manufacturing contexts.
Academic
Rare, except in history of technology or material culture studies.
Everyday
Common in DIY, home improvement, and general description.
Technical
Standard term in carpentry, construction, and woodworking.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “claw hammer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “claw hammer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “claw hammer”
- Misspelling as 'clawammer' or 'claw-hammer' (though hyphenated form is sometimes accepted). Using it as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'He clawhammered the nail' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. A rip hammer typically has a straighter claw, while a claw hammer's claw is more curved. The terms are often used interchangeably in general usage.
No, it is not a standard verb. The verb is simply 'to hammer' or 'to pry out' (using the claw).
You hit with the flat, circular 'face' or 'head' on the opposite end from the claw.
Yes, it is one of the most common and basic tools found in a household toolkit for minor repairs and DIY projects.
A hammer with a flat striking face on one side and a forked, curved 'claw' on the other side, used for pulling out nails.
Claw hammer is usually everyday, technical (carpentry, diy). the term is neutral and widely understood. in register.
Claw hammer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɔː ˌhæmə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklɔ ˌhæmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To go at something with a claw hammer (to handle something in an unsubtle, forceful way).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cat using its CLAW to pull a nail out of wood, just like the curved CLAW of a CLAW HAMMER.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BLUNT INSTRUMENT IS A LACK OF SUBTLETY (e.g., 'His negotiation tactic was a claw hammer').
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, describing a policy as a 'claw hammer' suggests it is: