tool
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: enpr: to͞ol
ipa: /tuːl/
ipa: /tul/
ipa: /tʉːl/
ipa: /tʉl/
rhymes: -uːl
homophone: tulle
Forms: form: tools
Etymology: From Middle English tool, tol, from Old English tōl (“tool, implement, instrument”, literally “that with which one prepares something”), perhaps borrowed from Old Norse tól, but at any rate ultimately from Proto-Germanic *tōlą (“that which is used in preparation, tool”), from Proto-Indo-European *dewh₂- (“to tie to, secure”), equivalent to taw (“to prepare”) + -le (agent suffix). Cognate with Scots tuil (“tool, implement, instrument, device”), Icelandic tól (“tool”), Faroese tól (“tool, instrument”). Related to Old English tāwian (“to make, prepare, or cultivate”); see taw, and tow ("fibres used for spinning").
Senses: examples: text: Several prehistoric tools, including a stone ax, were found during the dig.
text: A screwdriver is a tool that no household should be without.
text: A stapler is a tool for attaching papers to others.
glosses: Any physical device meant to ease or do a task.
examples: text: the tools of the trade
text: Rakes, shovels, hoes, and spades are some of the tools of the gardener's trade.
text: I don't have the right tools to start fiddling around with the engine.
text: A timing light is a tool that only an automotive mechanic, professional or amateur, would have.
text: Drawings and pictures are more than mere ornaments in scientific discourse. Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story.
ref: 2012 March 23, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2013, page 106:
glosses: Any physical device meant to ease or do a task.
Any piece of equipment used in a profession, such as a craftsman's.
examples: text: Idleness is a tool of the devil.
text: A spreadsheet app and a bookkeeping app are some of the principal tools of a bookkeeper.
text: What was the need of a man to do that? "One stick at a time;" if Ned could not do that, he was a poor tool. Ah, a poor tool he proved to be.
ref: 1867, The Masonic Trowel, volume 6, page 44:
text: Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus.[…]A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that. Developed as a tool to electronically combine the sharpest bits of multiple digital images, focus stacking is a boon to biologists seeking full focus on a micron scale.
ref: 2013 July-August, Catherine Clabby, “Focus on Everything”, in American Scientist, archived from the original on 11 May 2017:
glosses: Anything that aids someone to perform an operation; an instrument; a means.
examples: text: The software engineer had been developing lots of EDA tools.
text: a tool for recovering deleted files from a disk
topics: computing
engineering
mathematics
natural-sciences
physical-sciences
sciences
hypernyms: application
program
glosses: A piece of software used to develop software or hardware, or to perform low-level operations.
examples: text: She was a tool of the pharmaceutical lobby.
text: He was a tool of a foreign influence operation.
glosses: A person or group which is used or controlled, usually unwittingly, by another person or group, a pawn.
examples: text: a five-tool player
text: When asked what he liked about Youk [Kevin Youkilis], former Boston scout Matt Haas says, "At first glance, not a lot." (Mind you, this is one of the few scouts who actually wanted the kid.) "He was unorthodox," says Haas, who now scouts for the Arizona Diamondbacks. "He had an extreme crouch—his thighs were almost parallel to the ground. And he was heavier than he is now. But the more I watched him, the more I just thought, Throw the tools out the window. This guy can play baseball."
ref: 2007 November 7, Mark Bechtel, “"there's Something Fun About Yooouuuk"”, in Sports Illustrated, archived from the original on 14 Oct 2008:
topics: ball-games
baseball
games
hobbies
lifestyle
sports
glosses: A particular skill pertaining to baseball (such as hitting, running, etc.).
examples: text: Or haue wee some strange Indian with the great Toole, come to Court, the women so besiege vs?
ref: 1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv], page 231:
text: She wanna hang with the goons
She wanna party midnight till noon
She wanna play with my tool
ref: 2019 January 2, Burna Bandz, “Goons” (track 13), in Compact Burna:
synonyms: word: anaconda
word: baloney pony
word: bald-headed hermit
word: banana
word: birdie
word: bobby
word: boonga
word: cack
word: choad
word: choda
word: chode
word: chopper
word: cigar
word: cock
word: corey
word: crank
word: cucumber
word: custard launcher
word: D
word: dick
word: dicklet
word: diddle
word: diddly
word: dingaling
word: ding-a-ling
word: ding-dong
word: dinger
word: dingle
word: dingus
word: dingy
word: dink
word: dinkle
word: dipstick
word: dirk
word: disco stick
word: dog bone
word: dong
word: donger
word: Donkey Kong
word: doodle
word: dork
word: down
word: fire hose
word: fuckpole
word: gherkin
word: hairy canary
word: hammer
word: hog
word: hot dog
word: hot rod
word: hoo-hoo
word: hooter
word: it
word: jade stalk
word: jamoke
word: jigger
word: jimmy
word: jock
word: johnson
word: John Thomas
word: joint
word: Jonathan
word: joystick
word: kielbasa
word: knob
word: lad
word: langer
word: lingam
word: love muscle
word: love stick
word: love truncheon
word: love sausage
word: love wand
word: machine
word: magnum
word: Master John Goodfellow
word: male member
word: manhood
word: man-meat
word: meat
word: meat puppet
word: meat rod
word: meat scepter
word: meatstick
word: meat stick
word: member
word: membrum virile
word: nature's scythe
word: nob
word: old chap
word: old fellow
word: one-eyed trouser snake
word: organ
word: package
word: pecker
word: peen
word: pee-pee
word: pee-wee
word: pego
word: penis
word: Percy
word: peter
word: phallus
word: pickle
word: piece
word: piece of pork
word: pike
word: pillicock
word: pingas
word: pink cigar
word: pink oboe
word: pintle
word: pipe
word: pisser
word: piston
word: pizzle
word: plonker
word: pork sword
word: prick
word: pud
word: purple-headed yogurt slinger
word: putz
word: p-word
word: python
word: ramrod
word: rape tool
word: rod
word: root
word: rutter
word: salami
word: sausage
word: schlong
word: schmuck
word: sex tool
word: shaft
word: shlong
word: shmekl (qualifier
word: colloquial
word: Yiddish)
word: short arm
word: skin flute
word: snake
word: snausage
word: spitstick
word: stem
word: stretcher
word: sucker
word: swipe
word: tadger
word: tagger
word: tail
word: tallywhacker
word: tarse
word: thing
word: thingy
word: third leg
word: tic tac
word: todger
word: tool
word: trouser monkey
word: trouser snake
word: truncheon
word: tube steak
word: unit
word: virile member
word: wang
word: weapon
word: wee-wee
word: weenie
word: weeny
word: whang
word: wick
word: widgie
word: widdler
word: wiener
word: willie
word: willy
word: wingwang
word: winkle
word: winky
word: yard
word: ying-yang
glosses: A penis, notably with a sexual or erotic connotation.
examples: text: He won't sell us tickets because it's 3:01, and they went off sale at 3. That guy's such a tool.
synonyms: word: assbucket
word: asshat
word: asshole
word: assmonkey
word: assmouth
word: assmunch
word: assmuncher
word: assbreath
word: assbag
word: asshead
word: assface
word: asstard
word: assfaggot
word: assfag
word: assfuck
word: asscunt
word: assfucker
word: assweed
word: asswipe
word: bag of dicks
word: ball sack
word: bastard
word: berk
word: blackguard
word: buttface
word: butthead
word: buttmunch
word: buttmuncher
word: choad
word: chunk-blower
word: cock gobbler
word: cock-knocker
word: cockmunch
word: cockmuncher
word: cockweasel
word: cockwad
word: cockhead
word: cockface
word: cockwaffle
word: cockwipe
word: cockshit
word: cockbag
word: cocksack
word: cocksucker
word: cocksuck
word: cockbreath
word: cockfag
word: cockfuck
word: cockfucker
word: cullion
word: cumbucket
word: cum guzzler
word: cumrag
word: cumstain
word: cunt
word: cuntard
word: cuntass
word: cuntbag
word: cuntbitch
word: cuntbreath
word: cuntbucket
word: cuntface
word: cunthead
word: cuntmuffin
word: cuntlicker
word: cuntbiscuit
word: cuntfuck
word: cuntfucker
word: cuntlapper
word: cunt muncher
word: cuntrag
word: cuntshit
word: cuntstain
word: cuntsucker
word: cuntwad
word: cuntwipe
word: cuntwaffle
word: cuntweasel
word: cuntweed
word: cuntwhacker
word: dick
word: dickass
word: dickbag
word: dickbiscuit
word: dickbreath
word: dickbucket
word: dickface
word: dickfuck
word: dickfucker
word: dickhead
word: dicklicker
word: dick munch
word: dick muncher
word: dicknose
word: dicknut
word: dicksack
word: dickshit
word: dickstain
word: dickster
word: dicksucker
word: dicktard
word: dickwad
word: dickweasel
word: dickweed
word: dillweed
word: dirtbag
word: dirthead
word: dirtwad
word: douche
word: douchebag
word: douche boat
word: doucheburger
word: douchecanoe
word: douchelord
word: douche nozzle
word: douchewad
word: douchewagon
word: fag
word: faggot
word: faggotface
word: fuck
word: fuckball
word: fuckchop
word: fucker
word: fucknozzle
word: fucktrumpet
word: fuckoid
word: fuckrod
word: fuckweed
word: fuckwit
word: fuckhead
word: fuckface
word: fuckstick
word: fuckstain
word: fuckster
word: fuckskull
word: fuckshit
word: fuckweasel
word: fuckwaffle
word: fuckbag
word: fuckbucket
word: fucknose
word: fucktard
word: fuckmuffin
word: fuckmitten
word: git
word: hosebag
word: jackass
word: jackoff
word: jagoff
word: jagweed
word: jerk
word: jerkball
word: jerko
word: jerkoff
word: jerkwad
word: jerkweed
word: jitbag
word: jizzbag
word: knob-gobbler
word: knob polisher
word: lowlife
word: meanie
word: nark
word: paddock
word: penishead
word: piece of crap
word: piece of garbage
word: piece of junk
word: piece of shit
word: pile of crap
word: pile of shit
word: piece of trash
word: piece of work
word: pig
word: pissface
word: pisspot
word: prick
word: prickhead
word: prickface
word: prickwad
word: pukeball
word: pukestain
word: pussybreath
word: sack of shit
word: schmuck
word: scoundrel
word: scum
word: scumbag
word: scumbreath
word: scumbug
word: scumbutt
word: scumface
word: scumfuck
word: scumhead
word: scumhole
word: scumlord
word: scuzz
word: scuzzball
word: scuzzbucket
word: scuzzoid
word: shitass
word: shitball
word: shitbag
word: shit bird
word: shitcunt
word: shitbreath
word: shitbucket
word: shitcock
word: shitdick
word: shiteater
word: shitguzzler
word: shithook
word: shitlicker
word: shitpot
word: shitrag
word: shithead
word: shitlord
word: shitsack
word: shitface
word: shitwad
word: shitheap
word: shitstain
word: shitheel
word: shitgibbon
word: shitgoblin
word: shitneck
word: shitnuts
word: shitnugget
word: shitfuck
word: shitfucker
word: shitmuncher
word: sleaze
word: sleazeball
word: sleazebag
word: sleazebucket
word: sleazehole
word: sleazewad
word: slimebucket
word: slimeface
word: slimehole
word: slimewad
word: snotbag
word: snotball
word: snotface
word: snothead
word: snotwad
word: sourhead
word: squib
word: tool
word: tosser
word: tosspot
word: undesirable
word: vonce
word: wanker
word: weasel
word: wet wipe
glosses: An obnoxious or uptight person.
examples: text: In my city keep a tool
Lil nigga you know the rules
ref: 2019 January 2, Burna Bandz, “Goons” (track 13), in Compact Burna:
text: Three waps up and a couple of shanks (Just in case)
But I got faith that these tools won't jam
ref: 2020 November 19, (67) PR SAD, “One Wish” (1:41 from the start):
synonyms: word: weapon
word: arm
word: armament
qualifier: and possibly wider
glosses: A handgun.
Synonyms: word: tool
Hyponyms: word: adze
word: axe
word: billhook
word: blade
word: bolt cutter
word: broach
word: ceramic tile cutter
word: chisel
word: coping saw
word: countersink
word: diamond blade
word: diamond tool
word: drill bit
word: endmill
word: file
word: fretsaw
word: froe
word: glass cutter
word: grater
word: hacksaw
word: hand saw
word: knife
word: machete
word: miter saw
word: milling cutter
word: pipecutter
word: plane
word: razor
word: reamer
word: saw
word: scalpel
word: scissors
word: slasher
word: splitting maul
word: surform
word: switchblade
word: tap and die
word: tool bit
word: utility knife
word: water jet cutter
word: wire cutter
word: wire stripper
word: cultivator
word: earth auger
word: edger
word: garden fork
word: garden trowel
word: hedge trimmer
word: hoe
word: hori hori
word: irrigation sprinkler
word: lawn aerator
word: lawn mower
word: lawn sweeper
word: leaf blower
word: loppers
word: mattock
word: pickaxe
word: pitchfork
word: plough
word: pruning shears
word: rake
word: rotary tiller
word: scythe
word: spade
word: string trimmer
word: hand tool
word: block plane
word: remover
word: brace
word: breaker bar
word: broom
word: brush
word: caliper
word: card scraper
word: clamp
word: crowbar
word: crimping pliers
word: fish tape
word: hammer
word: hawk
word: hex key
word: locking pliers
word: mallet
word: maul
word: micrometer
word: miter box
word: pipe wrench
word: pliers
word: plumb-bob
word: punch
word: punch down tool
word: putty knife
word: ratchet
word: screwdriver
word: spirit level
word: sponge
word: squeegee
word: square
word: staple gun
word: tape measure
word: torque wrench
word: trowel
word: wrench
word: power tool
word: band saw
word: belt sander
word: chainsaw
word: chop saw
word: circular saw
word: concrete saw
word: crusher
word: drill
word: grinding machine
word: heat gun
word: impact wrench
word: jigsaw
word: jointer
word: lathe
word: nail gun
word: planer
word: radial arm saw
word: random orbital sander
word: reciprocating saw
word: rotary tool
word: sander
word: scroll saw
word: soldering gun
word: soldering iron
word: table saw
word: thickness planer
word: wood router
word: machine tool
word: drill press
word: hobber
word: jig borer
word: machining center
word: horizontal machining center
word: vertical machining center
word: milling machine
word: shaper
word: slotter
word: screw machine
word: turning center
word: criminal tool
word: crimping tool
word: cutting tool
word: deburring tool
word: edge tool
word: entrenching tool
word: grafting tool
word: Halligan tool
word: hive tool
word: Jacot tool
word: set tool
word: sex tool
word: side tool
word: spare tool
word: swing tool
word: tint tool
word: tip tool
word: turning tool
Derived terms: claw tool
course authoring tool
criminal tool
crimping tool
deburring tool
down tools
dry-tool
edge tool
entrenching tool
E-tool
e-tool
fine adjustment tool
five-tool
five tool player
five-tool player
go back to the tools
grafting tool
Halligan tool
hand tool
hive tool
hooligan tool
Jacot tool
K-tool
love tool
macaroni tool
machine tool
metatool
meta-tool
microtool
mindtool
multitool
multi-tool
nanotool
not the sharpest tool in the box
not the sharpest tool in the shed
oscillating tool
rape tool
retool
set tool
sex tool
shaving tool
side tool
spare tool
swing tool
tint tool
tip tool
toolage
tool and die
toolbag
toolbar
tool bar
tool-bar
toolbelt
toolbox
tool box
toolbuilder
toolbuilding
toolcase
toolchain
toolchest
tool chest
toolcrib
tool-crib
tool crib
tooled
tooler
tool frame
tool-friendly
toolholder
toolholding
toolhouse
toolie
tooling
toolishness
toolkit
tool kit
toolless
toollike
toolmaker
toolmaking
toolmark
toolpath
tool path
toolpost
tool post
toolpusher
tool-pusher
toolrest
tool-rest
toolroom
tool room
toolset
toolsetter
toolsetting
toolshed
tool shed
toolshelf
toolsmith
toolsmithing
tools of ignorance
toolstack
tool steel
toolstock
tool stone
toolstrip
tool subject
tooltip
tool up
turning tool
webtool
worktool
work-tool
Related terms: word: instrument
word: device
word: :Category:Tools