monkey-wrench

mon·key-wrench

M m

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [muhng-kee rench]
- /ˈmʌŋ ki rɛntʃ/
- /ˈmʌŋ.ki rentʃ/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [muhng-kee rench]
- /ˈmʌŋ ki rɛntʃ/

Definitions of monkey-wrench word

verb with object monkey-wrench to ruin (plans, a schedule, etc.) unavoidably or, sometimes, deliberately: The storm monkey-wrenched our plans for a picnic. 1
verb without object monkey-wrench to prevent, delay, or sabotage industrialization or development of wilderness areas, especially through vandalism. 1
noun monkey-wrench Also called, especially British, adjustable spanner. a wrench having an adjustable jaw permitting it to grasp nuts or the like of different sizes. 1
noun monkey-wrench something that interferes with functioning; obstacle: He threw a monkey wrench into our plans. 1

See all 4 definitions of monkey-wrench

Information block about the term

Origin of monkey-wrench

First appearance:

before 1855

One of the 30% newest English words

First recorded in 1855-60

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Monkey-wrench

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Monkey-wrench

monkey-wrench popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 31% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 59% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

Synonyms for monkey-wrench

noun monkey-wrench

pipe wrench — a tool having two toothed jaws, one fixed and the other free to grip pipes and other tubular objects when the tool is turned in one direction only.
spanner — a person or thing that spans.
adjustable spanner — a tool with adjustable jaws used for turning bolts, etc

All 3 Synonyms of monkey-wrench

Matching words

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