tool

[ tool ]

/ tul /

noun

an implement, especially one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.

any instrument of manual operation.

the cutting or machining part of a lathe, planer, drill, or similar machine.

the machine itself; a machine tool.

anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose: Education is a tool for success.

a person manipulated by another for the latter's own ends; cat's-paw.

the design or ornament impressed upon the cover of a book.

Underworld Slang.

a pistol or gun.
a pickpocket.

Slang: Vulgar. penis.

verb (used with object)

to work or shape with a tool.

to work decoratively with a hand tool.

to ornament (the cover of a book) with a bookbinder's tool.

to drive (a vehicle): He tooled the car along the treacherous path.

to equip with tools or machinery.

verb (used without object)

to work with a tool.

to drive or ride in a vehicle: tooling along the freeway.

Verb Phrases

tool up, to install machinery designed for performing a particular job: manufacturers tooling up for production.

Origin of tool

before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English tōl; cognate with Old Norse tōl tools; akin to taw²

SYNONYMS FOR tool

1 T ool , implement , instrument , utensil refer to contrivances for doing work. A tool is a contrivance held in and worked by the hand, for assisting the work of (especially) mechanics or laborers: a carpenter's tools. An implement is any tool or contrivance designed or used for a particular purpose: agricultural implements. An instrument is anything used in doing a certain work or producing a certain result, especially such as requires delicacy, accuracy, or precision: surgical or musical instruments. A utensil is especially an article for domestic use: kitchen utensils. When used figuratively of human agency, tool is generally used in a contemptuous sense; instrument , in a neutral or good sense: a tool of unscrupulous men; an instrument of Providence.

OTHER WORDS FROM tool

tool·er, noun tool·less, adjective mul·ti·tool, noun un·tooled, adjective

Words nearby tool

too-too, toodle-oo, tooele, took, tooke, tool, tool engineering, tool post, tool pusher, tool shed, tool steel

British Dictionary definitions for tool up

tool

/ (tuːl) /

noun

an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand
a power-driven instrument; machine tool
(in combination)a toolkit

the cutting part of such an instrument

any of the instruments used by a bookbinder to impress a design on a book cover
a design so impressed

anything used as a means of performing an operation or achieving an end he used his boss's absence as a tool for gaining influence

a person used to perform dishonourable or unpleasant tasks for another

a necessary medium for or adjunct to one's profession numbers are the tools of the mathematician's trade

slang another word for penis

British an underworld slang word for gun

verb

to work, cut, shape, or form (something) with a tool or tools

(tr) to decorate (a book cover) with a bookbinder's tool

(tr often foll by up) to furnish with tools

(when intr, often foll by along) to drive (a vehicle) or (of a vehicle) to be driven, esp in a leisurely or casual style

Derived forms of tool

tooler, noun tool-less, adjective

Word Origin for tool

Old English tōl; related to Old Norse tōl weapon, Old English tawian to prepare; see taw ²

Idioms and Phrases with tool up

tool up

Provide the equipment for a particular task, as in Now that we're all tooled up let's repair the boat. This term originated in industry, where it is used for supplying a factory with machinery or other equipment for production. [1920s]

Arm oneself, as in They tooled up for their encounter with the rival gang. [Second half of 1900s]

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

tool

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of tool

SYNONYMS FOR tool

OTHER WORDS FROM tool

Words nearby tool

British Dictionary definitions for tool up

noun

verb

Derived forms of tool

Word Origin for tool

Idioms and Phrases with tool up

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

tool

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of tool

SYNONYMS FOR tool

OTHER WORDS FROM tool

Words nearby tool

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for tool up

noun

verb

Derived forms of tool

Word Origin for tool

Idioms and Phrases with tool up

British Dictionary definitions for tool up