tool (tuːl
)
Definitions
noun
- an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand
- a power-driven instrument; machine tool
- ((in combination) ⇒
a toolkit
- the cutting part of such an instrument
- any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover
- a design so impressed
- anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an end ⇒
he used his boss's absence as a tool for gaining influence
- a person used to perform dishonourable or unpleasant tasks for another
- a necessary medium for or adjunct to one's profession ⇒
numbers are the tools of the mathematician's trade
- slang another word for penis
- British an underworld slang word for gun
verb
- to work, cut, shape, or form (something) with a tool or tools
- (tr) to decorate (a book cover) with a bookbinder's tool
- (tr) up to furnish with tools
- intr, often foll by along to drive (a vehicle) or (of a vehicle) to be driven, esp in a leisurely or casual style
Alternative Forms
ˈtooler noun ˈtool-less adjectiveWord Origin
Old English tōl; related to Old Norse tōl weapon, Old English tawian to prepare; see taw²Synonyms
View thesaurus entryTranslations
- British English:
tool
A tool is any instrument or simple piece of equipment, for example, a hammer or a knife, that you hold in your hands and use to do a particular kind of work.The best tool for the purpose is a hammer.tuːl NOUN The best tool for the purpose is a hammer.
- Spanish:
herramienta
nf
- French:
outil
nm
- German:
Werkzeug
nnt
- Chinese: 工具 n
- Arabic: أَدَاة n
- Portuguese: ferramenta nf
- Russian: инструмент nm
- Croatian: alat nm
- Czech: nářadí nnt
- Danish: værktøj nnt
- Dutch: gereedschap nnt
- Finnish: työkalu n
- Greek: εργαλείο nnt
- Italian: strumento nm
- Japanese: 道具 n
- Korean: 도구 n
- Norwegian: verktøy nnt
- Polish: narzędzie nnt
- Brazilian Portuguese: ferramenta nf
- European Spanish:
herramienta
nf
- Swedish: verktyg nnt
- Thai: เครื่องมือ
- Turkish: araç n
- Vietnamese: công cụ n
Usage examples
He put the gun in its cloth back in the tool box in the boot.
, THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)He believes the technique could be a "powerful tool " to help beat various drug addictions.
New Scientist (2004)Over the Christmas holidays in Ottawa As a teaching tool , homework obviously has its place.
Globe and Mail (2003)The music - the melody, the expression - is paramount; technique a mere tool at its service.
Glasgow Herald (2002)He was bending over the tool bag, speaking with his back turned.
, THE PAINTER (2003)