tool

An object you use to do a job, such as cutting, building, or repairing something.

• Pass me that tool.
• She bought tools to repair her bike.
• Which tool should I use to cut this wood?

Similar words: implement

Common phrases: hand tool, power tool, tool box, use a tool

A person or group controlled and used by others to achieve their aims.

• He became a tool of the regime.
• The group was a tool of powerful business interests.
• She refused to be anyone’s tool.

How to use it: a tool of someone/something (The newspaper became a tool of the government.)

Similar words: pawn, puppet

Common phrases: tool of someone, political tool, mere tool

Shape or decorate a material using special equipment, often by pressing a design into it.

• She learned to tool leather.
• The cover was tooled with a flower design.
• He tools each belt by hand.

How to use it: tool something with something (The leather was tooled with a geometric pattern.)

Similar words: work, shape

Common phrases: tool leather, tool a pattern, tool a design

Provide a place with the equipment needed to make or repair things.

• They will tool the new factory.
• The plant was tooled for car production.
• We need to tool up before manufacturing begins.

How to use it: tool up for something (The company is tooling up for mass production.)

Similar words: equip

Common phrases: tool a factory, tool up, tool a plant