Definify.com

Webster 1828 Edition


Screwed

SCREW'ED

,
pp.
Fastened with screws; pressed with screws; forced.

Definition 2024


screwed

screwed

English

Adjective

screwed (comparative more screwed, superlative most screwed)

  1. (slang) beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger.
    They found out about our betrayal, so now we're screwed.
  2. (slang, Britain) intoxicated.
    • James Joyce, Dubliners
      Besides they were dreadfully afraid that Freddy Malins might turn up screwed. They would not wish for worlds that any of Mary Jane's pupils should see him under the influence []

Usage notes

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Usage notes

Because the sexual act as a metaphor for domination is a frequent association for the term 'screwed', it is potentially offensive in polite circles.

Verb

screwed

  1. simple past tense and past participle of ****
    He screwed the boards together tightly.
    I got screwed at the swap meet yesterday.
    • 1641, Richard Chambers (merchant), quoted in Hannis Taylor, The Origin and Growth of the English Constitution: An Historical Treatise, Part II: The After-Growth of the Constitution, H.O. Houghton & Company (1889), p. 274,
      […] merchants are in no part of the world so screwed as in England. In Turkey, they have more encouragement.

References

  1. 1 2 "**** (n.)" in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001
  2. "**** (v.)" in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001