Meaning & Definition of word "Spanner"
Spanner
/ˈspænər/
noun:
- 1. A tool used for gripping, fastening, or turning a nut or bolt.
- Example: I grabbed a spanner to tighten the loose bolts on the car.
- 2. A wrench that has a specific shape for turning fasteners.
- Example: He used a large adjustable spanner to fix the plumbing issue.
- 3. In British informal usage, refers to a situation or thing that causes difficulty or frustration.
- Example: The unexpected changes to the schedule were a real spanner in the works.
Etymology
●Late Middle English: from a variant of ‘span’ in the sense of ‘to span a bolt’.
Common Phrases and Expressions
spanner in the works:
An unexpected problem or complication.
Related Words
wrench:
A tool used for gripping and turning objects, usually similar to a spanner.
socket:
A receptacle for a tool, often used in conjunction with a wrench.
Slang Meanings of spanner
Meaning: A term used to describe a clumsy person.
● Example Sentence: Don't be such a spanner, you're making a mess of things!
Meaning: Someone who causes disruption or trouble.
● Example Sentence: He was a real spanner at the meeting, bringing up unrelated issues.