What does screwed mean?
Screwed is an informal word with several related uses. In the phrase “screwed up,” it describes something that has been badly managed, botched, or left in a disorganized condition: a plan may be screwed up, or a person may be completely screwed up about a situation. On its own, it can also mean ruined, badly damaged, or in a hopeless condition, especially when describing machinery or an object. Another common use expresses strong annoyance or despair, as in “I’m screwed,” while “screwed with” or “are you screwed?” can call someone or something crazy or foolish. The word also functions as the past participle of screw, describing something fastened or tightened with a screw. Its informality makes it unsuitable for formal or technical prose unless used in a quotation.
Informal, describing something ruined, botched, or in a bad condition; also expressing annoyance or describing a person or situation as crazy.
"We had to cancel the trip because the booking was completely screwed."
Most common in informal speech and writing; “screwed up” is often the more typical phrase.
Past tense and past participle of screw: to fasten or tighten with a screw.
"The technician screwed the bracket securely to the wall."
In this literal sense, it is standard and formal enough for technical writing.
From the literal idea of fastening something with a screw, “screwed” grew into a vivid informal label for anything badly botched, hopeless, or completely mistaken.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does screwed come from?
The word developed from the verb screw, which comes from Old English scrūfan, meaning to turn or tighten. The verb originally referred to fastening or tightening with a screw, and “screwed” is the ordinary past-tense and past-participle form of that meaning. The extended informal sense of “ruined” or “messed up” developed during the 20th century, alongside the widespread expression “screwed up.” The root also appears in words such as screwdriver and screwy, as well as in the noun screw itself.
Related word forms
How screwed is actually used
As an informal adjective or participle, it is especially common in speech and informal writing. “Screwed up” is generally more common than “screwed” alone for describing a mistake or a situation that is disorganized; “screwed over” can imply that someone has been deliberately mistreated or cheated.