wrench
[ rench ]
/ rɛntʃ /
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verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to twist, turn, or move suddenly aside: He wrenched away.
to give a wrench or twist at something.
noun
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of wrench
before 1050; Middle English wrenchen (v.), Old English wrencan to twist, turn; cognate with German renken
OTHER WORDS FROM wrench
wrencher, nounwrench·ing·ly, adverboutwrench, verb (used with object)un·wrenched, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wrench
ranch, wrenchDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use wrench in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for wrench
wrench
/ (rɛntʃ) /
verb
noun
Word Origin for wrench
Old English wrencan; related to Old High German renken, Lithuanian rangyti to twist. See wrinkle 1
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 Idioms and Phrases with wrench
wrench
see throw a monkey wrench.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.