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View synonyms for

tool

[ tool ]

noun

  1. an implement, especially one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.
  2. any instrument of manual operation.
  3. the cutting or machining part of a lathe, planer, drill, or similar machine.
  4. the machine itself; a machine tool.
  5. anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose:

    Education is a tool for success.

  6. a person manipulated by another for the latter's own ends; cat's-paw.
  7. the design or ornament impressed upon the cover of a book.
  8. Underworld Slang.
    1. a pistol or gun.
    2. a pickpocket.
  9. Slang: Vulgar. penis.


verb (used with object)

  1. to work or shape with a tool.
  2. to work decoratively with a hand tool.
  3. to ornament (the cover of a book) with a bookbinder's tool.
  4. to drive (a vehicle):

    He tooled the car along the treacherous path.

  5. to equip with tools or machinery.

verb (used without object)

  1. to work with a tool.
  2. to drive or ride in a vehicle:

    tooling along the freeway.

verb phrase

  1. to install machinery designed for performing a particular job:

    manufacturers tooling up for production.

tool

/ ٳː /

noun

    1. an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand
    2. a power-driven instrument; machine tool
    3. ( in combination )

      a toolkit

  1. the cutting part of such an instrument
    1. any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover
    2. a design so impressed
  2. 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

  3. a person used to perform dishonourable or unpleasant tasks for another
  4. a necessary medium for or adjunct to one's profession

    numbers are the tools of the mathematician's trade

  5. slang.
    another word for penis
  6. an underworld slang word for gun
“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 work, cut, shape, or form (something) with a tool or tools
  2. tr to decorate (a book cover) with a bookbinder's tool
  3. troften foll byup to furnish with tools
  4. whenintr, often foll by along to drive (a vehicle) or (of a vehicle) to be driven, esp in a leisurely or casual style
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٴǴDZ-, adjective
  • ˈٴǴDZ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ٴǴDZİ noun
  • ٴǴDZl adjective
  • ܱt·ٴǴDZ noun
  • ܲ·ٴǴDZ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tool1

First recorded before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English ō; cognate with Old Norse ō “tools”; akin to taw 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tool1

Old English ō; related to Old Norse ō weapon, Old English tawian to prepare; see taw ²
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Those are the tools he uses more than anything else.

From

“There are a number of tools at our disposal,” Makary said.

From

One fundamental problem with our current diagnostic approach is that the tools we use were primarily developed based on research conducted on white male children.

From

He added that Chadema would use "every legal and political tool" to achieve change.

From

“We can delay the reckoning by using all the tools we have, but we cannot put it off indefinitely.”

From

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When To Use

are other ways to say tool?

The word tool usually refers to a handheld object, such as a hammer, saw, or file, that is used to perform or facilitate mechanical operations. When should you use this noun over instrument, implement, or utensil? Learn more on .

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