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Glite Dictionary
Allen wrench

Allen wrench

2 4.1
A small L-shaped tool with a six-sided end used to turn bolts with six-sided holes
  • noun
  • /ˈælən rɛntʃ/
  • US
translation icon : llave Allen
  • But there are Allen wrench sets you can buy, handheld sets, long set, short sets.
  • set of Allen wrenches
  • 5-mm Allen wrench

And this will, yes, sure, this will go into effect as soon as they can find that little Allen wrench to take the stores apart.

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Examples

  • I put together my new bike with an Allen wrench to tighten the bolts.

  • Allen wrench in hand, I removed the front of their cribs.

    Blog text (13)

  • I mean one, one single Allen wrench is all that did the whole job and it went together really well.

  • I could actually use a couple of Allen wrenches.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • She inserted the Allen wrench into an aperture in the centrifugal pump and tried to turn it.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • So you got some Allen wrenches, you got a screwdriver, you got pliers, bulbs, fuses, you even have a flashlight.

  • To assemble the shelf, you will need an Allen wrench for the screws.

  • He used an Allen wrench to adjust the seat height on his bicycle.

Synonyms

hex key
vsAllen wrench
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A small L-shaped tool used to turn screws with a six-sided hole

is the general term but emphasizes the same L shape
Allen key
vsAllen wrench
  • UK
4.7

A small L-shaped metal tool used to turn bolts and screws with six-sided holes

is the same tool but uses a different everyday name
Inbus wrench
vsAllen wrench
  • Specialized
7.9

A small metal tool with a six-sided bar for turning screws with matching holes

is the standard name rather than this trade or regional term
Unbrako key
vsAllen wrench
  • Specialized
7.4

A small metal tool with a six-sided tip that turns screws with a six-sided hole in the head

is the general non-brand label rather than this specific brand
Unbrako wrench
vsAllen wrench
  • Specialized
7.3

A tool like an Allen key for turning bolts and screws with six-sided sockets

is the common generic term not tied to any brand

Surface Forms

Allen wrench singular
Allen wrenches plural

Morphology

Allen + wrench

The noun 'wrench' makes it clear this is a kind of tool, so a B1 learner would infer it denotes a type of wrench. However, 'Allen' is an eponym/brand name and does not transparently indicate the distinctive hexagonal key shape or its specific use, so the precise meaning (a hex key/Allen key) is not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Allen wrench is named after a company called Allen that made the small L-shaped metal wrench or 'key' that fits into screws with a six-sided hole. So the name stuck and now Allen wrench means that little L-shaped tool used to tighten or loosen those screws.