# tool

/ˈtuɫ/ (US) · /tˈuːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tool
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. physical implement

noun · CEFR A2

a physical object, like a hammer or saw, that you hold in your hand to do a job.

For teachers: a handheld device or implement used to carry out a particular function, especially in manual work.

- He kept a small box of tools in the garage for fixing his bicycle.
- The carpenter selected a specialized tool from his belt to ensure the dovetail joints were perfectly flush with the frame.

### 2. software or resource

noun · CEFR B1

a piece of software or a method that helps you finish a task.

For teachers: a digital utility or abstract resource employed to facilitate a specific operation or process.

- This website is a great tool for learning new vocabulary words.
- The developers integrated a new debugging tool into the environment to streamline the identification of memory leaks.

### 3. a person being used

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person who is used by someone else to get what they want, often without knowing it.

For teachers: a person used by another to perform a task or achieve an objective, typically in a subservient or unwitting capacity.

- He realized too late that he was just a tool in their political game.
- The ambitious minister was merely a tool of the crown, discarded as soon as the controversial policy had been enacted.

### 4. obnoxious person

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

an annoying or stupid person who tries too hard to look cool.

For teachers: a derogatory term for an obnoxious, contemptible, or socially inept individual.

- Don't listen to him; he's just a tool who likes to hear himself talk.
- The lead singer acted like such a tool during the interview that the journalist decided to kill the story entirely.

### 5. a handgun

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · American English · Dialect

a slang word for a gun.

For teachers: a slang term for a firearm, specifically a handgun.

- The lyrics mentioned keeping a tool under the car seat for protection.
- In certain urban dialects, the term tool is frequently used as a coded reference to a concealed handgun.

### 6. to shape or decorate

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to decorate or shape something, like leather, using special equipment.

For teachers: to work on or ornament a surface, particularly leather or metal, using specialized implements.

- The artist spent hours toiling to tool the intricate design into the leather belt.
- The antique book was bound in hand-tooled calfskin, featuring gold-leaf accents along the spine.

### 7. to drive around

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · British English

to drive or travel in a vehicle, usually in a relaxed way.

For teachers: to travel or cruise in a vehicle, often implying a casual or aimless manner.

- We spent the afternoon tooling around the countryside in his old convertible.
- They spent the bank holiday tooling along the coastal roads, stopping occasionally to admire the view.

## Examples

- A hammer is a common tool for driving nails into wood.
- The developer used a specialized debugging tool to find the error in the website's code.
- While traditional artisans rely on physical tools passed down through generations, modern digital creators must constantly master new software tools to remain competitive in the global market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.