Tool Names in English
16 common tools (and a couple safety “tools”) so you can fix things and sound like you know what you’re doing.
If you ever stood in a hardware store thinking, “I know what that thing does, but I have no idea what it’s called,” welcome. This list gives you the everyday tool words you’ll hear in real life.
You’ll get quick meanings and short example sentences. Tap the Hear buttons to practice saying each word out loud.
Yak Snark
Tools are easy. It’s the “where did I put it?” part that ruins your confidence. Learn the names now, lose them later with pride.
Visual tool cards
These are the “most likely to be asked for” tools. If you can name these, you already look handy.
🔨Hammer (HAM-er)
Used to hit nails into wood, or gently persuade stubborn things to move.
I used a hammer to hang the picture frame.
🪛Screwdriver (SKROO-dry-ver)
Used to turn screws. Flathead and Phillips are the common types.
Do you have a screwdriver for this loose hinge?
🔧Wrench (RENCH)UK: spanner
Used to grip and turn nuts and bolts.
I tightened the bolt with a wrench.
🗜️Pliers (PLY-erz)
Used to grip, bend, or pull wire and small objects.
Use pliers to pull the nail out safely.
📏Tape measure (TAYP MEH-zhur)
A flexible ruler that rolls up. Great for measuring rooms and furniture.
Check the width with a tape measure before you buy the shelf.
🧰Drill (DRIL)
A power tool that makes holes or drives screws.
I used a drill to make a hole for the anchor.
🪚Saw (SAW)
Used to cut wood (or sometimes metal) with a toothed blade.
We need a saw to cut this board to size.
📐Level (LEH-vuhl)
Checks if something is perfectly horizontal or vertical.
Use a level so the shelf is straight.
Table of tool words
More useful tools you’ll hear in DIY videos, repair shops, and that one friend who owns too many gadgets.
| Word | Meaning | Example | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility knife (yoo-TIL-ih-tee nyf) | A sharp knife with a replaceable blade, used for cutting boxes and materials. | Use a utility knife to open the package carefully. | |
| Sandpaper (SAND-pay-per) | Rough paper used to smooth wood or remove old paint. | I used sandpaper to smooth the edge before painting. | |
| Chisel (CHIZ-uhl) | A tool with a sharp flat edge, used to carve or cut wood (often with a hammer). | The carpenter used a chisel to shape the joint. | |
| Paintbrush (PAYNT-brush) | A brush used to apply paint neatly. | Grab a paintbrush for the corners and edges. | |
| Ladder (LAD-er) | A climbing tool used to reach high places. | We need a ladder to change that light bulb. | |
| Clamp (KLAMP) | Holds materials tightly in place while you glue, drill, or cut. | Use a clamp to keep the wood from moving. | |
| Safety goggles (SAYF-tee GOG-uhlz) | Protective eyewear for drilling, cutting, sanding, or chemicals. | Wear safety goggles when you drill overhead. | |
| Work gloves (WURK gluhvz) | Gloves made for tough jobs and protecting your hands. | I put on work gloves before moving the broken tiles. |
Optional variants and “same thing, different name”
English loves multiple names for the same tool. Because why be simple?
| Common name | Also called | When you hear it | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrench | Spanner (UK) | Same tool, different region. | |
| Tape measure | Measuring tape | Both are common in everyday speech. | |
| Utility knife | Box cutter | Often used for opening boxes and packaging. | |
| Screwdriver | Phillips, flathead | Refers to the tip shape (cross vs flat). | |
| Saw | Hand saw | Used when you want to be clear it’s not powered. | |
| Drill | Power drill | Used to emphasize it’s electric or battery-powered. |
Yak Snark
If someone says, “Hand me the thingy,” you can now reply, “Do you mean the screwdriver?” and instantly become the adult in the room.
