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corkscrew

American  
[kawrk-skroo] / ˈkɔrkˌskru /

noun

  • corkscrews
    plural
  1. an instrument typically consisting of a metal spiral with a sharp point at one end and a transverse handle at the other, used for drawing corks from bottles.


adjective

  1. resembling a corkscrew; helical; spiral.

verb (used with or without object)

  • corkscrews,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • corkscrewed,
    past participle,  past
  • corkscrewing
    present participle
  1. to move in a spiral or zigzag course.

corkscrew British  
/ ˈkɔːkˌskruː /

noun

  1. a device for drawing corks from bottles, typically consisting of a pointed metal spiral attached to a handle or screw mechanism

  2. slang boxing a blow that ends with a twist of the fist, esp one intended to cut the opponent

  3. (modifier) resembling a corkscrew in shape

"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

verb

  1. to move or cause to move in a spiral or zigzag course

"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

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of corkscrew

First recorded in 1805–15; cork + 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.

See Examples For:

She is a fashionable woman, with corkscrew curls coming down in front of her ears.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 20, 2026

It could be a long, slow descent with the lights out on an RAF jet, or a rapid, corkscrew down in a C-130 transport plane.

From BBC Jan. 23, 2026

Equal parts object of design and functionality, this accordion-style corkscrew wine opener is made of nickel-plated steel and was first invented in France in the 1920s.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 27, 2024

Another reason to read the book: It boasts a surprise ending with a deliciously complex corkscrew conundrum.

From Seattle Times Mar. 4, 2024

“Here is the corkscrew, Signor Tenente,” the orderly said.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

The principal space of the Koolhaas building is the dramatic atrium stair that corkscrews up the front of the building.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 20, 2026

Before Kercher’s murder corkscrews their story, “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox” luxuriates in the postcard-perfect view from the apartment Amanda shared with Meredith and two Italian women.

From Salon Aug. 20, 2025

Campione has become known for her unique specialism in dolls, doll houses, automata, birdcages and corkscrews.

From BBC Sep. 7, 2024

At the state’s Enterprise Services Surplus Operations retail store, in Tumwater, Thurston County, bargain hunters could choose from knives, corkscrews, pool cues and other items that have been confiscated by airport security.

From Seattle Times May 19, 2024

The corkscrews Amber placed in her hair shrivel down into a thick fish-tail braid dangling below her waist.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

This part of the ship collapsed as it corkscrewed into the sea floor.

From BBC May 17, 2023

They also found that a slightly altered movement, where the invertebrates corkscrewed in mostly one direction, helped create the tangles.

From Scientific American Apr. 27, 2023

Hotter days and hotter nights have corkscrewed our weather patterns into spiraling extremes, leaving entire regions around the world jerked from the hottest temperatures they've known to the coldest, from devastating fires to disastrous floods.

From Salon May 22, 2022

Tasked with seventh-inning duties and the Dodgers ahead by three runs, he gave up a walk before striking out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo so emphatically that Perdomo corkscrewed into the dirt.

From Los Angeles Times May 17, 2022

He crashed onto his back and slid down through the floor and into a black plastic tunnel, which corkscrewed beneath him.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Remy O’Hara lifted a long, corkscrewing shofar to her lips and blew a resonant call.

From New York Times Feb. 24, 2023

Adding to the problems that Brockway caused for the Vikings was her unique corkscrewing serve.

From Seattle Times Nov. 19, 2022

Crafting Amy and The Doctor's corkscrewing timeline was terrific practice to adapt this book – which Moffat recently told critics inspired the acclaimed "Doctor Who" episode "The Girl in the Fireplace."

From Salon May 15, 2022

With its gently corkscrewing guitar, taut beats and whirring strings, The Turning of Our Bones is inspired by the Famadihana ritual of the Malagasy people, who dance with the corpses of loved ones.

From The Guardian Sep. 3, 2020

As he made his way around and around and down the two flights of curling, corkscrewing steps, his shoes were honking out a song: “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.”

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

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