What does unscrew mean?
Unscrew is a transparent English verb meaning to undo a fastening by turning a screw or another threaded part. It is commonly used with objects such as bolts, lids, caps, and plugs, and can be transitive (“unscrew the lid”) or intransitive (“the lid unscrews easily”). Although the word literally suggests undoing a screw, it can describe any threaded closure that must be loosened and removed. Its register is neutral, and its specificity distinguishes it from broader verbs such as open, remove, or unfasten. Unscrew is also the directional opposite of screw when that verb means to fasten or tighten a threaded object. The word is useful because it identifies the mechanical action involved rather than merely the end result: one unscrews a fastener rather than simply taking it off. Its formation from un- plus screw also makes its meaning immediately transparent to learners, illustrating the common English pattern in which un- indicates reversal, removal, or undoing.
verbTo remove or loosen a screw, bolt, cap, or other threaded fastening by turning it in the opposite direction. It can also be used intransitively to describe a fastening that can be opened in this way.
- To loosen or remove a screw, bolt, or similar fastener by rotating it.
- To open or detach a threaded lid, cap, plug, or fitting.
- To become loosened or detached by being rotated in the opposite direction.
"He unscrewed the lid and looked inside the jar."
"The technician carefully unscrewed the back panel."
"The bottle cap unscrews too tightly for children to manage."
“Unscrew” describes the twist, not just the removal: sometimes the object comes off only if you know which way to turn.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unscrew come from?
Unscrew is a transparent English formation combining the prefix un-, meaning to reverse or undo, with the older English word screw. The base word screw has cognate forms in other Germanic languages, including Dutch schroef and German Schraube, although its deeper historical origin is uncertain. Related English forms include screwdriver, screwcap, and screw thread.
Related word forms
How unscrew is actually used
The verb is neutral in register and is most often transitive, but it can also be used intransitively. It is more specific than “unfasten” because it implies a screw or threaded mechanism.
Easily confused with unscrew
To screw something is to fasten or tighten it with a screw or threaded fitting, whereas to unscrew it is to loosen or remove it.