unscrew

USAGE SUMMARY

“unscrew” is a correct word in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of removing a screw, or any other item that is screwed together. For example: “I had to unscrew the hinge to open the window.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thanks to clever brains and dextrous suckers, they can also open locks, unscrew jars and even untie surgical sutures.

The Guardian

However, such are the occasional frictions between Deutsche Bank's ways and the corporate traditions of its homeland that its bosses must sometimes be tempted to unscrew their nameplate and go.

The Economist

If you are lucky and have friends willing to get dressed and leave the house at an inevitably ungodly hour, well, that's when the situation turned into a team-building exercise as each side used their initiative to find something lying around that could unscrew the door handles.

Independent

I always unscrew the urinal and prise it off before I go, just to make sure that, hidden in the cavity, there's not a university production of The Dumb Waiter.

Independent

And when you have to take your gloves off, to unscrew canisters, the cold takes hold and leaves traces on your hands and arms.

Independent

It's an antenna, if you unscrew it.

Independent

You unscrew the top half, throw five ice cubes into the liquid, replace the top, shake vigorously and serve.

Independent

She managed to unscrew the first bulb but panicked and quit the challenge as soon as the lights went out.

Independent

Just unscrew the toy and pop a rawhide treat in and watch as your hound goes wild for ages trying to get at its treat.

Independent

5. NScessity £20, amazon This automatic, cordless and rechargeable corkscrew lets you unscrew up to 20 corks on a single charge and has a comfortable rubberised grip.

Independent

For the "Sopranos" scene they had to unscrew a table and move it over so that Gandolfini could sit there comfortably.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex process, be specific about what needs to be "unscrewed". Clarity ensures the instructions are easily followed.

Common error

Avoid using "unscrew" when a more precise term like 'unbolt' or 'unfasten' would be more appropriate. "Unscrew" specifically refers to actions involving screws.

Linguistic Context

Unscrew functions primarily as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object to loosen or remove it. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, confirming its role in describing physical manipulation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unscrew" is a common and grammatically correct verb used to describe the action of loosening or removing something by turning it. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Its frequency is high, particularly in News & Media contexts. The source quality is excellent, with examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While straightforward, the writing guidance emphasizes precision and avoiding overgeneralization. The related phrases offer alternatives for varied expression, and the FAQs address common usage questions. Overall, "unscrew" is a versatile and well-established term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detach by twisting

Replaces "unscrew" with a more descriptive action involving twisting to detach.

loosen by turning

Focuses on the loosening action achieved by turning, similar to unscrewing.

remove the screw from

Emphasizes the removal of the screw, rather than the action of unscrewing.

twist off

A phrasal verb indicating removal by twisting.

untwist

Highlights the reversal of the twisting action.

unfasten

A more general term for releasing or opening something.

release by rotation

Describes the action of releasing something through rotation.

disengage by turning

Focuses on disengaging a mechanism by rotating it.

extract by twisting

Emphasizes the extraction process through a twisting motion.

open with a twist

Highlights the action of opening something using a twisting motion

FAQs

How can I use "unscrew" in a sentence?

You can use "unscrew" to describe the action of loosening or removing something by turning it, as in "I had to unscrew the lid to open the jar".

What is a simple alternative to "unscrew"?

Depending on the context, you might use "detach by twisting" or "loosen by turning" as alternatives.

Is it correct to use "unscrew" for something that isn't a screw?

While "unscrew" technically refers to screws, it's commonly used for anything with a similar twisting mechanism, like a cap or a bolt. However, using a more specific term like "unbolt" might be more accurate.

What is the difference between "unscrew" and "loosen"?

"Unscrew" specifically means to loosen or remove by turning, while "loosen" is a more general term for making something less tight.