washer

Everyday

1. A small flat ring of metal, rubber or plastic put under a nut or a screw, or inside a tap, to make it tight or stop leaks. tree →
2. (informal) A washing machine, or a dishwasher. tree →
3. A person who washes things, as in "window washer" or "car washer". tree →
4. (Australia, New Zealand) A small square cloth for washing your face, called a flannel in the UK and a washcloth in the USA. tree →

In the lessons

In design and technology lessons, washers spread the pressure of a nut or a bolt and stop it from loosening. A dripping tap often needs a new rubber washer. In everyday chat, people say "put it in the washer". In Australia, "grab a washer" means a face cloth. Phrases: "a rubber washer", "the washer and dryer", "window washer".

Examples

• Dad fixed the dripping tap by changing the washer. tree →
• Put a washer under the nut before you tighten it. tree →
• My muddy football kit went straight into the washer. tree →
• The window washer cleaned the shop windows. tree →
• In Australia, Mum handed me a washer to wipe my face. tree →
• The kit came with ten screws and ten washers. tree →
• He was the son of the royal plate-washer. tree →

Note

Countable: a washer, washers. In Australia and New Zealand "washer" is the face cloth; in the UK "flannel"; in the USA "washcloth". Not the same as "washing" (the clothes to be washed).