screwdriver
B1Neutral to informal (for the tool); informal (for the cocktail).
Definition
Meaning
A hand tool with a shaped tip that fits into the head of a screw, used for turning it to tighten or loosen.
A cocktail made with vodka and orange juice.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meaning is the tool. The cocktail meaning is a specific, common extension. The word is a compound noun (screw + driver).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning for the tool. The cocktail is universally known. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral for the tool; informal/social for the cocktail.
Frequency
High frequency for the tool in both varieties. The cocktail name is common in social contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] used a screwdriver to [verb] the [object].He tightened it with a screwdriver.Pass me the screwdriver.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Everything but the kitchen sink (implies a vast, often excessive, collection of tools/items).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in hardware retail, manufacturing, or facilities management contexts.
Academic
Rare, except in engineering or design papers discussing tools.
Everyday
Very common in domestic, DIY, and repair contexts.
Technical
Common in engineering, construction, and electronics manuals.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He tried to screwdriver the panel open, but it was stuck fast. (informal, non-standard)
American English
- She managed to screwdriver the hinge back into place. (informal, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He had a screwdriver-like tool for the job. (compound adjective)
American English
- It was a screwdriver-only operation. (compound adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need a screwdriver to fix this chair.
- This is a Phillips screwdriver.
- Can you hand me the electric screwdriver from the toolbox?
- He ordered a screwdriver at the bar.
- The mechanic deftly selected the correct screwdriver from his extensive set.
- A good screwdriver is indispensable for assembling flat-pack furniture.
- The investigator postulated that the assailant had used a common screwdriver as the murder weapon.
- The cocktail, a simple screwdriver, belied the sophistication of the evening's negotiations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: It DRIVES SCREWs. A driver for screws, just like a bus driver drives a bus.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL FOR A PURPOSE (A means to an end, e.g., 'Education is a screwdriver for opening doors of opportunity.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'screw driver' as separate words. It's a single compound noun.
- The cocktail 'screwdriver' is not translated; it's a borrowed term (скрюдрайвер).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as two words: 'screw driver'.
- Incorrect plural: 'screwsdriver' instead of 'screwdrivers'.
- Confusing with 'drill' (power tool vs. hand tool).
Practice
Quiz
What is the secondary, common meaning of 'screwdriver'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, compound word: screwdriver.
A Phillips head has a cross-shaped tip, while a flat-head has a single, straight slot.
Not in standard English. It's a noun. Informally, it might be used to mean 'to use a screwdriver on', but this is non-standard.
The origin is uncertain, but one popular story is that American oil workers in the Persian Gulf stirred their vodka and orange juice with a screwdriver.