noun
spanner
SPAN-uh
noun
1
A hand tool used to grip and turn nuts and bolts (called a "wrench" in American English).
"He reached for the spanner to tighten the bolt."
2
An unexpected problem or obstacle, especially in the phrase "a spanner in the works."
"The delayed shipment threw a spanner in the works for the launch."
How to Use Spanner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tool for turning nuts and bolts; British English word for what Americans call a "wrench."
UK vs US
British English uses "spanner"; American English uses "wrench" for the same tool.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
adjustable spanner
throw a spanner in the works
Word Forms
spannered past tense, spanners plural, spanners singular
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He reached for the _____ to tighten the bolt.
Etymology
From "span" plus the agent suffix "-er" — literally, a thing that spans or grips something.