Meaning & use
washers
Last updated
“washers” is a form of “washer”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
Thin flat rings, usually of metal or rubber, placed under a nut or bolt head or inside a tap to spread pressure or seal it.
Grammar: Countable: a box of washers.
Patterns
- washers for something
I need two washers for this bolt.
The tap dripped until I replaced the rubber washers.
A box of washers cost three dollars.
nouncountableAmerican
Machines that wash things, especially clothes or dishes.
Grammar: Often used for appliances: washers and dryers.
Patterns
- washers and dryers
The laundry room has four washers.
These washers use very little water.
Hotels buy industrial washers in bulk.
nouncountable
People or devices that wash something, as in window washers.
Grammar: Usually part of a compound: dishwashers.
Patterns
- window washers
The window washers hung from ropes outside the tower.
Car washers wiped every vehicle by hand.
The dishwashers in the kitchen worked all night.
Word forms
| singular | washer |
|---|
Common combinations
- rubber washers
- Rubber washers seal the tap.
- flat washers
- Use flat washers under the nuts.
- pressure washers
- Pressure washers clean the patio quickly.
- washers and dryers
- The washers and dryers are in the basement.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gaskets
- Gaskets seal a joint, while washers spread load or seal a screw or tap.
- rings
- Rings is a vague word, while washers names a specific hardware part.
- laundry machines
- Laundry machines is a wider term that includes dryers too.
Word family
Commonly confused: washers or washes?
washers vs washes
Washes is a verb form meaning cleans, while washers are objects.
Practice
The tap is dripping, so you probably need to replace the rubber ___.
Choose one answer.
Rubber washers are the small rings that seal a tap. Washes is a verb form, so it does not fit after rubber.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “washers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.