- tool
- noun1 instrument for making/repairing thingsADJECTIVE▪ general-purpose, multi-purpose▪ basic, primitive, simple, standard, traditional▪
craftsmen using traditional tools
▪ sophisticated, special▪ right▪Do you have the right tools for the job?
▪ sharp▪ rusty▪ cutting, drawing, measuring▪ cordless, hand, machine, power▪ agricultural, engineering, farm, farming, garden, gardening, industrial, woodworking… OF TOOLS▪ setVERB + TOOL▪ use▪ sharpen▪ down tools (BrE)▪Workers downed tools (= stopped work) in protest at poor safety standards in the works.
2 sth that helps you do/achieve sthADJECTIVE▪ new▪ effective, essential, handy, important, indispensable, invaluable, key, major, necessary, powerful, primary, useful, valuable, vital▪ blunt▪ educational, learning, pedagogical, teaching▪ reference, research▪This dictionary is an invaluable reference tool for advanced learners.
▪ analysis, analytical, conceptual, diagnostic, investigative, practical▪a valuable diagnostic tool for physicians
▪ legal, negotiating, political, propaganda▪We must ensure that education is not used as a political tool.
▪ communication, management, marketing▪ design, development, drawing, multimedia, presentation▪ blogging, desktop, digital, online, programming, softwareVERB + TOOL▪ become▪The Internet has become a vital tool for many artists.
▪ develop, providePHRASES▪ the tools of the/sb's trade▪Sympathy and compassion are the tools of his trade.
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
