unscrew

unscrew — verb

1. to open a sealed container or remove a detachable part by gripping and turning i

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to open a sealed container or remove a detachable part by gripping and turning it in the direction that loosens the thread — applies to things like jar lids, bottle caps, and light bulbs

Example

Ayesha tried to unscrew the lid of the pickle jar, but it was stuck tight.

transitive: unscrew + lid / cap / top

Liam unscrewed the cap of his water bottle and handed it to his little sister.

Common collocations
  • unscrew + lid
  • unscrew + cap
  • unscrew + top
  • unscrew + bulb
  • unscrew + nozzle
  • unscrew + from + container
Synonyms
  • twist off

    more informal and specific to removing a lid or cap by twisting

  • open

    much broader — 'open a jar' does not specify the twisting method

  • loosen

    suggests partial turning rather than full removal

Antonyms
  • screw on

    the opposite action — to close or attach by twisting into place

  • tighten

    to make something more firmly fixed by turning

Grammar Patterns

unscrew + noun phrase (lid / cap / top / bulb)

unscrew + noun phrase + off + noun phrase

Usage Note

Object is typically something that closes a container (lid, cap, top) or a detachable part with a screw thread (light bulb, nozzle). The action is almost always performed by hand or with a simple twisting motion, not with tools.

Common Mistakes

She unscrewed the zipper on her jacket.
She unzipped her jacket.
'unscrew' is only for things that fasten with a screw thread.
He unscrewed the door.
He unscrewed the door handle from the panel.
'unscrew' applies to the threaded part, not the whole object.

2. to detach a fastened object from a surface or structure by extracting or twistin

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to detach a fastened object from a surface or structure by extracting or twisting out the screws that hold it in place — for example, unscrewing a hinge from a door or a bracket from a wall

Example

Gabriel used a screwdriver to unscrew the hinge from the old cupboard door.

pattern: unscrew + object + from + surface

Adaeze had to unscrew the metal bracket before she could fix the pipe beneath it.

Common collocations
  • unscrew + screw
  • unscrew + bolt
  • unscrew + hinge
  • unscrew + plate
  • unscrew + bracket
  • unscrew + panel
  • unscrew + cover
  • unscrew + from + surface
Synonyms
  • remove

    more general — includes methods other than dealing with screws

  • detach

    suggests separating two parts without specifying the fastener type

  • unbolt

    specific to removing bolts, not screws

Antonyms
  • screw in

    the opposite action — to fix something by turning screws into it

  • fasten

    general opposite of detaching

Grammar Patterns

unscrew + noun phrase (screw / bolt / hinge / plate / bracket / panel)

unscrew + noun phrase + from + noun phrase

Usage Note

Subject is usually a person doing DIY or repair work. The object can be the screw itself or the item fixed by screws (a hinge, a panel, a bracket). Distinguish from sense 1: here the goal is detachment from a surface by removing physical screws, not opening a container by twisting a lid.

Common Mistakes

He unscrewed the phone case.
He unscrewed the screws holding the phone back cover.
'unscrew' requires actual screws, not clips or snaps.
She unscrewed the painting from the wall.
She unscrewed the bracket from the wall and then lifted the painting off.
the screw or bracket is what you unscrew, not the object that hangs on it.

Word family

  • screw
    verbB1
  • screw
    nounA2
  • unscrewed
    adjectiveB2
  • screwdriver
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words relate to releasing or removing something, but 'unscrew' is the only one that specifically involves a screw thread. 'Twist off' is very close in meaning and often interchangeable when talking about bottle caps or jar lids, but it is more informal and does not work for light bulbs or threaded nozzles. 'Loosen' suggests making something less tight rather than fully removing it — you can loosen a jar lid and still be unable to open it. 'Open' is the broadest term and works for any container regardless of its fastening mechanism; saying 'open the jar' does not tell the listener how to do it. 'Untwist' reverses a twisting motion but is rarely used for threaded fasteners — it sounds more natural for rope or fabric. For example: 'She unscrewed the lid with one firm twist' is precise, while 'She opened the jar' leaves the method unclear.

twist off ↗loosenopen ↗untwist

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • by hand
  • with a screwdriver
  • with a drill
  • in a clockwise direction

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchEnglishEnglish

Formed in English around the early 1600s by adding the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'reverse the action of') to the verb 'screw', which itself came from Old French 'escroue' meaning a threaded fastener or a nut. The original sense was simply 'to draw a screw from its place', and the meaning later broadened to include any twisting removal, such as taking the lid off a jar.