Definition

Noun: 1. A type of adjustable wrench: A hand tool used for turning nuts or bolts, featuring one fixed jaw and one jaw that can be moved to fit different sizes by turning a screw mechanism.

Usage

• A screw wrench is used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts of various sizes.
• It is a specific, less common term for what is more generically called an adjustable wrench or an adjustable spanner.

Examples

• "He reached for the screw wrench to adjust the fitting on the pipe."
• "The mechanic's toolkit contained several screw wrenches of different lengths."

Advanced Usage

• The term screw wrench explicitly describes the tool's adjusting mechanism (a screw), distinguishing it from other adjustable wrenches that may use a different sliding or pin-lock mechanism. It is often used in technical or historical contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Adjustable wrench (n): The more common general term for this type of tool.
• Adjustable spanner (n): The common term used in British English.
• Crescent wrench (n): A common brand name (Crescent®) that is often used generically, especially in American English.

Synonyms

• Adjustable spanner
• Adjustable wrench
• Shifting spanner

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To throw a wrench (spanner) in the works: To cause a problem that stops a process from continuing smoothly. (Note: This idiom uses the more common term "wrench" or "spanner," not specifically "screw wrench").
  • Example: "The sudden budget cut threw a wrench in the works of our project."

Noun

1. adjustable wrench that has one jaw that can be adjusted by turning a screw