Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

tool en · NOUN

Pronunciation

/tʉl/ (Northern-Ireland, Scotland)
/tul/ (US)
/tʉːl/ (General-Australian)
/tuːl/ (England, Wales)
to͞ol
(Southern-England) audio

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").

Meanings

Any physical device meant to ease or do a task.
- Several prehistoric tools, including a stone ax, were found during the dig.
- A stapler is a tool for attaching papers to others.
- A screwdriver is a tool that no household should be without.
Any physical device meant to ease or do a task. ▸ Any piece of equipment used in a profession, such as a craftsman's.
- A timing light is a tool that only an automotive mechanic, professional or amateur, would have.
- 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. 2012 March 14, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2013, page 106:
- Rakes, shovels, hoes, and spades are some of the tools of the gardener's trade.
- the tools of the trade
- I don't have the right tools to start fiddling around with the engine.
Anything that aids someone to perform an operation; an instrument; a means.
- A spreadsheet app and a bookkeeping app are some of the principal tools of a bookkeeper.
- 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. 1867, The Masonic Trowel, volume 6, page 44:
- Idleness is a tool of the devil.
- 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. 2013 July-August, Catherine Clabby, “Focus on Everything”, in American Scientist, archived from the original on 11 May 2017:
A piece of software used to develop software or hardware, or to perform low-level operations.
- The software engineer had been developing lots of EDA tools.
- a tool for recovering deleted files from a disk
A person or group which is used or controlled, usually unwittingly, by another person or group, a pawn.
- He was a tool of a foreign influence operation.
- She was a tool of the pharmaceutical lobby.
A particular skill pertaining to baseball (such as hitting, running, etc.).
- a five-tool player
- 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." 2007 November 7, Mark Bechtel, “"there's Something Fun About Yooouuuk"”, in Sports Illustrated, archived from the original on 14 Oct 2008:
(informal, vulgar) A penis, notably with a sexual or erotic connotation.
- She wanna hang with the goons She wanna party midnight till noon She wanna play with my tool 2019 January 2, Burna Bandz, “Goons” (track 13), in Compact Burna:
- Or haue wee some strange Indian with the great Toole, come to Court, the women so besiege vs? 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:
(broadly, derogatory, slang, vulgar) An obnoxious or uptight person.
- He won't sell us tickets because it's 3:01, and they went off sale at 3. That guy's such a tool.
(Canada, Multicultural-London-English, US, qualifier:and possibly wider, slang) A handgun.
- In my city keep a tool Lil nigga you know the rules 2019 January 2, Burna Bandz, “Goons” (track 13), in Compact Burna:
- Three waps up and a couple of shanks (Just in case) But I got faith that these tools won't jam 2020 November 19, (67) PR SAD, “One Wish” (1:41 from the start):

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
tools	Number=Plur		lexicographic

Translations (321)

it strumento (person or group used or controlled by another) · it arnese (penis) · crg zoochii (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · mk алатка (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nl instrument (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn stigghiu (equipment used in a profession) · bo ལག་ཆ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · id burung (penis) · uz olat (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru прибо́р (penis) · sh príbor (equipment used in a profession) · km ប្រដាប់ប្រដា (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ja 道具 (equipment used in a profession) · sco tuil (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · lt įrankis (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sh àlāt (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru инструме́нт (software for developers) · yue 架生 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ceb gamit (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · pt ferramenta (equipment used in a profession) · za gaiqdawz (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · crs zouti (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nn reiskap (equipment used in a profession) · gl ferramenta (equipment used in a profession) · tg афзор (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · no verktøy (equipment used in a profession) · is verkfæri (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sh òrūđe (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · tg олат (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · et tööriist (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sh srèdstvo (equipment used in a profession) · ia instrumento (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ast ferramienta (equipment used in a profession) · yue 工具 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ast utensiliu (equipment used in a profession) · ja 道具 (penis) · ur اَوزار (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · da værktøj (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · fi työkalu (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · be прыла́да (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn strummentu (software for developers) · is tól (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ceb himan (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sv kuk (penis) · hu szerszám (penis) · fa-ira اَفْزار (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ug سايمان (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · bg сре́дство (software for developers) · scn vastuni (penis) · fy ark (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn mmarazzu (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · gl ferramenta (software for developers) · wa osti (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nl lul (penis) · nb verktøy (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · da instrument (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · be сро́дак (software for developers) · scn strummentu (person or group used or controlled by another) · sh а̀ла̄т (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nb kuk (penis) · th อุปกรณ์ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru инструме́нт (equipment used in a profession) · hy գործիք (equipment used in a profession) · ro sculă (penis) · vi dụng cụ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · tr araç (equipment used in a profession) · es herramienta (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru инструме́нт (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru пе́шка (person or group used or controlled by another) · da grej (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sq mjet (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nv bee naʼanishí (equipment used in a profession) · ru ору́дие (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · lo ເຄື່ອງ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ast preséu (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · gd inneal (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · wa usteye (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · hi उपकरण (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · el εργαλείο (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru аппара́т (penis) · as আহিলা (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · tr araç (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nl gereedschap (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · cy teclyn (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sq vegël (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · az alət (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ast utensiliu (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · am መሣሪያ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ca eina (software for developers) · afb اداة (equipment used in a profession) · ja 工具 (equipment used in a profession) · pt ferramenta (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn stigghiu (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · de Teil (penis) · ja 使いっ走り (person or group used or controlled by another) · scn pupu (figurately) (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · uk начи́ння (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · la instrūmentum (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · tg асбоб (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · pt instrumento (equipment used in a profession) · it mezzo (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ko 툴 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · el εργαλείο (software for developers) · fr outil (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · khb ᦵᦆᦲᧂᧈ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · pl narzędzie (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · et riist (penis) · be струмэ́нт (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · bg оръ́дие (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · da værktøj (equipment used in a profession) · uk знаря́ддя (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · hu szerszám (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ms alat (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · shn ၶိူင်ႈ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ja ツール (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ast ferramienta (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ko 도구 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · av алат (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · hy գործիք (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sh срѐдство (equipment used in a profession) · ro unealtă (equipment used in a profession) · mn хэрэгсэл (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ps آله (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ast arbía (equipment used in a profession) · de Werkzeug (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ur آلَہ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · afb اداة (software for developers) · sh при́бор (equipment used in a profession) · cdo 工具 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · afb اداة (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nl instrument (equipment used in a profession) · pt instrumento (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ky аспап (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · fr outil (equipment used in a profession) · ps اوزار (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · zdj shomɓo (shombo) (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru ору́дие труда́ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · da redskab (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · pl przybór (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nb redskap (equipment used in a profession) · ru сре́дство (software for developers) · de Instrument (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · fa-ira آلَت (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · te పనిముట్టు (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · kk аспап (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · mfe zouti (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · bg пио́нка (person or group used or controlled by another) · ga uirlis (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · za gunghgi (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · tr alet (equipment used in a profession) · uk інструме́нт (software for developers) · srn wrokosani (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · mt għodda (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · cs nástroj (person or group used or controlled by another) · wuu 工具 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · crh alet (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · it strumento (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn strummentu (equipment used in a profession) · cmn 工具 (equipment used in a profession) · ru шестёрка (person or group used or controlled by another) · km គ្រឿង (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · bn সাধনী (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · gl ferramenta (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · it strumento (equipment used in a profession) · km ប្រដាប់ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · es instrumento (penis) · qu llamkana (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · he כְּלִי (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ro instrument (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ja 道具 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ro sculă (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · grc ἐργαλεῖον (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · de Gerät (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ca eina (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · yi ווערקצייג (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · gl ferramenta (person or group used or controlled by another) · uz asbob (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn strummentu (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ps اوړی (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ms perkakas (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · fr engin (penis) · tt корал (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · el όργανο (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · pl narzędzie (equipment used in a profession) · da pik (penis) · ko 툴 (software for developers) · sv verktyg (equipment used in a profession) · ca eina (equipment used in a profession) · mi paraha (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · pl kutas (penis) · bg инструме́нт (software for developers) · tg абзор (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sh о̀рӯђе (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · la instrūmentum (equipment used in a profession) · izh asu (equipment used in a profession) · it utensile (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sl orodje (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · hak 工具 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn mmarazzu (equipment used in a profession) · ja ツール (software for developers) · lv instruments (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · cs nástroj (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ca instrument (equipment used in a profession) · eo laborilo (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · hi उपकरण (equipment used in a profession) · ar آلَة (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · hi औज़ार (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · izh tööriista (equipment used in a profession) · as সঁজুলি (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ne औजार (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nl werktuig (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn vìrija (penis) · luy sisindu (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ky курал (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · nan-hbl 工具 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · de Instrument (equipment used in a profession) · ro instrument (equipment used in a profession) · uk інструме́нт (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · el ενεργούμενο (person or group used or controlled by another) · nl hulpmiddel (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · pt ferramenta (penis) · et instrumentaalprogramm (software for developers) · nn verktøy (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ar أَدَاة (software for developers) · de Instrument (person or group used or controlled by another) · ht zouti (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru марионе́тка (person or group used or controlled by another) · el εργαλείο (equipment used in a profession) · es herramienta (equipment used in a profession) · oc aisina (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · id alat (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · be інструме́нт (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · fi työkalu (software for developers) · eo ilo (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · my ကိရိယာ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · el υποχείριο (person or group used or controlled by another) · mn багаж (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ast preséu (equipment used in a profession) · ar أَدَاة (equipment used in a profession) · mk алат (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · grc ἐργαλεῖον (equipment used in a profession) · mba himan (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · be інструма́нт (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · hu szer (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · de Tool (software for developers) · el εργαλείο (penis) · tr alet (penis) · it strumento (software for developers) · de Werkzeug (equipment used in a profession) · et vahend (equipment used in a profession) · sv verktyg (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ast arbía (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · cmn 工具 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sw kifaa (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · izh asu (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · cs nádobíčko (penis) · ko 도구 (equipment used in a profession) · af gereedskap (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · az hacat (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · fi kalu (penis) · ar أَدَاة (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ps سامان (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sw kifaa (equipment used in a profession) · ko 공구 (equipment used in a profession) · la ferrāmentum (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · pms utiss (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · fa-ira اَبْزار (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · bg инструме́нт (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · kk құрал (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · it attrezzo (equipment used in a profession) · he מַכְשִׁיר (equipment used in a profession) · ja 木偶の坊 (person or group used or controlled by another) · lt įnagis (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · fi työkalu (equipment used in a profession) · ka ინსტრუმენტი (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · sa उपकरण (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · acw عِدّة (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · tr alet (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · bg сре́дство (equipment used in a profession) · bg инструме́нт (penis) · sk nástroj (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · be струма́нт (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn marruggiu (penis) · lo ເຄື່ອງມື (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · scn mazzolu (penis) · hu eszköz (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ary دزان (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · yi מכשיר (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru сре́дство (equipment used in a profession) · nan-hbl 家私 (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · lv darbarīks (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · kix tūo (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · cmn 工具 (software for developers) · ro unealtă (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ca mitjà (person or group used or controlled by another) · ja 玩具 (penis) · fa-ira اَسْباب (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · tk abzal (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · es utensilio (equipment used in a profession) · de Werkzeug (person or group used or controlled by another) · luy msondo (penis) · th เครื่อง (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · izh pribora (equipment used in a profession) · ar عُدَّة (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · cs nástroj (software for developers) · pt instrumento (penis) · de Handwerkszeug (equipment used in a profession) · ca instrument (person or group used or controlled by another) · it mezzo (person or group used or controlled by another) · pl narzędzie (software for developers) · it utensile (equipment used in a profession) · nv bee naʼanishí (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ru тул (software for developers) · cu орѫдиѥ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · ia instrumento (equipment used in a profession) · it arnese (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · vi đồ dùng (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · de Gerät (penis) · th เครื่องมือ (mechanical device intended to make a task easier) · be інструме́нт (software for developers) · nl gereedschap (equipment used in a profession)

wikidata: Q39546 · wikidata: Q39546

tool en · VERB

Pronunciation

/tʉl/ (Northern-Ireland, Scotland)
/tul/ (US)
/tʉːl/ (General-Australian)
/tuːl/ (England, Wales)
to͞ol
(Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Meanings

(transitive) To work on or shape with tools, e.g., hand-tooled leather.
(transitive) To equip with tools.
(intransitive) To work very hard.
- Do this lab and read this book, now tool, one and all, And be sure and pass that final quiz or be screwed right to the wall. 1965, Matt Fichtenbaum, Dan Murphy, “The Institute Screw”, in The Broadside of Boston, volume III, number 22:
(slang, transitive) To put down another person (possibly in a subtle, hidden way), and in that way to use him or her to meet a goal.
- Dude, he's not your friend. He's just tooling you.
(transitive) To intentionally attack the ball so that it deflects off a blocker out of bounds.
(UK, dated, slang, transitive) To drive (a coach or other vehicle).
(UK, dated, slang, transitive) To carry or convey in a coach or other vehicle.
- 1850s, Cuthbert M. Bede, The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green Among those who seemed disposed to join in this opinion was the Jehu of the Warwickshire coach, who expressed his conviction to our hero, that "he wos a young gent as had much himproved hisself since he tooled him up to the Warsity with his guvnor."
(intransitive, slang) To travel in a vehicle; to ride or drive.
- These are the guys that tool around in Mercedes Sprinter vans with equipment lockers stuffed with everything from riot helmets to tasers. 2011, Ben Aaronovitch, Rivers of London, Gollancz, published 2011, page 324:
- March 8, 1890, Byron P. Stephenson, "My Trip to Brazil", in Illustrated American boys on their bicycles tooling along the well-kept roads

Forms

Spelling	Features	Source
tooled	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic
tooled	Tense=Past	lexicographic
tooling	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic
tools	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres	lexicographic

Deriveds

tool around

Synonyms

use

Translations (41)

ca donar forma (to work on or shape with tools) · no bearbeide (to work on or shape with tools) · pl wyposażać (to equip with tools) · pl obrabiać (to work on or shape with tools) · nl uitrusten (to equip with tools) · tr aletle işlemek (to work on or shape with tools) · ru экипирова́ть (to equip with tools) · de ausstatten (to equip with tools) · ru ekipírovatʹ (to equip with tools) · ru оснаща́ть (to equip with tools) · et viimistlema (to work on or shape with tools) · bg израбо́твам (to work on or shape with tools) · fr façonner (to work on or shape with tools) · pt equipar (to equip with tools) · et rügama (to work very hard) · nl bewerken (to work on or shape with tools) · ca cisellar (to work on or shape with tools) · pt trabalhar (to work on or shape with tools) · tr teçhiz etmek (to equip with tools) · pl harować (to work very hard) · tr teçhizatlandırmak (to equip with tools) · gl equipar (to equip with tools) · no utstyre utruste (to equip with tools) · da udstyre med maskiner (to equip with tools) · tr alet ile işlemek (to work on or shape with tools) · pt talhar (to work on or shape with tools) · da bearbejde (to work on or shape with tools) · ru обрабо́тать (to work on or shape with tools) · ru обраба́тывать (to work on or shape with tools) · ca equipar (to equip with tools) · nl zwoegen (to work very hard) · bg бъхтя се (to work very hard) · de bearbeiten (to work on or shape with tools) · de kurven ((slang) ride or drive) · ca treballar (to work on or shape with tools) · bg обору́двам (to equip with tools) · fi varustaa (to equip with tools) · ru оснасти́ть (to equip with tools) · cs obrábět (to work on or shape with tools) · fi työstää (to work on or shape with tools) · et varustama (to equip with tools)

Dictionary

tool en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Deriveds

Hypernyms

Hyponyms

Relateds

Synonyms (first 500 of 503)

Translations (321)

tool en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Deriveds

Synonyms

Translations (41)