Word
auger
US/ˈɔɡɝ/
UK/ˈɔːɡɐ/
Definitions
01a boring tool
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. a tool with a long, twisted blade used for drilling holes in wood, the earth, or ice.
n. a tool featuring a helical bit used for boring holes in wood, soil, or ice; the spiral design allows for the removal of debris during the drilling process.
“The workers used a large auger to drill holes for the new fence posts.”
“The ice fisherman spent the morning using a manual auger to bore through the thick frozen surface of the lake.”
Usage
Commonly used in woodworking, construction, and geological sampling.
Pitfall
The priest was a famous auger.
The priest was a famous augur.
Do not confuse 'auger' (a tool) with 'augur' (a person who predicts the future).
Teaching tip
This is a highly specific technical term; learners should distinguish it from the general word 'drill'.
02plumbing tool
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. a flexible tool used by plumbers to clear blockages in pipes.
n. a flexible, snake-like device used in plumbing to dislodge obstructions in pipes or drains.
“When the sink wouldn't drain, the plumber used an auger to clear the pipe.”
“The maintenance crew had to employ a motorised auger to reach the deep blockage in the main sewer line.”
Usage
Often referred to as a 'drain auger' or 'closet auger' in professional contexts.
Synonyms
03to drill
C2 · Proficiency Technical
v. to make a hole using an auger tool.
v. to bore or drill a hole specifically using an auger; by extension, to move in a spiralling or drilling fashion.
“They had to auger deep into the soil to take a sample for the lab.”
“The machine began to auger into the clay, slowly extracting a core sample for the geological survey.”
Usage
Usually functions as a transitive verb taking a direct object.
Etymology
From a rebracketing of Middle English a nauger (seen as an + auger), from Old English nafugār (“nave drill”, literally “nave spear”), from Proto-West Germanic nabugaiʀ, from Proto-Germanic nabōgaizaz. Cognate with Dutch avegaar.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/auger