monkey wrench

See synonyms for monkey wrench on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Also called, especially British, adjustable spanner. a wrench having an adjustable jaw permitting it to grasp nuts or the like of different sizes.

  2. something that interferes with functioning; obstacle: He threw a monkey wrench into our plans.

Origin of monkey wrench

1
First recorded in 1855–60

Other definitions for monkey-wrench (2 of 2)

monkey-wrench
[ muhng-kee-rench ]

verb (used with object)
  1. to ruin (plans, a schedule, etc.) unavoidably or, sometimes, deliberately: The storm monkey-wrenched our plans for a picnic.

verb (used without object)
  1. to prevent, delay, or sabotage industrialization or development of wilderness areas, especially through vandalism.

Origin of monkey-wrench

2
First recorded in 1800–10

Other words from monkey-wrench

  • monkey-wrencher, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for monkey wrench

monkey wrench

noun
  1. a wrench with adjustable jaws

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012