Synonyms

unscrew

American

[uhn-skroo] / ʌnˈskru /

verb (used with object)

to draw or loosen a screw from (a hinge, bracket, etc.).
to unfasten or withdraw by turning, as a screw or lid.
to open (a jar, bottle, etc.) by turning the lid or cover.

verb (used without object)

to permit of being unscrewed.

unscrew British

/ ʌnˈskruː /

verb

(tr) to draw or remove a screw from (an object)
(tr) to loosen (a screw, lid, etc) by rotating continuously, usually in an anticlockwise direction
(intr) (esp of an engaged threaded part) to become loosened or separated

the lid wouldn't unscrew

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unscrew

First recorded in 1595–1605; un- ² + screw

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I almost unscrewed my head from my neck following those circling monkeys with my eyes.

From Literature

She unscrewed the head feathers and poured some liquid into her palm.

From Literature

Michael was in the process of unscrewing the jar, but he stopped.

From Literature

A bunch of workers rushed over to The Dessoug with tools, and they started unscrewing plates on the side of the hull.

From Literature

He unscrewed the loop and the hollow coin split open.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023