Skip to main content
to counterbore

to counterbore

8.3
To make the top of a hole wider so a screw head sits below the surface
  • verb
  • /ˈkaʊntərˌbɔr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : contrabocar
  • The carpenter needed to counterbore the holes for the bolts.

Examples

  • You should counterbore the wood so the screw heads do not stick out.

  • Before inserting the screws, she carefully counterbored each hole to ensure a smooth finish.

  • We need to counterbore the holes for the screws.

  • Make sure to counterbore the wood properly.

  • To ensure a smooth surface, please counterbore the holes for the screws.

  • Before installation, remember to counterbore the top of each drilled hole.

  • The carpenter decided to counterbore the screw holes so that they would not be visible.

Synonyms

to countersink
vsto counterbore
  • Specialized
8.1

To make a screw head sit level or below the surface

makes a wider straight-sided opening so the fastener head sits flush or lower
to ream
vsto counterbore
  • Specialized
9.8

To widen a hole and make its edge smooth using a special tool

enlarges primarily to seat a fastener head with a straight recess

Surface Forms

counterbore infinitive
counterbored past participle
counterboring present participle
counterbores third person singular

Morphology

counterbore = bore (semi-transparent) = counter + bore

The verb is transparently 'counter' + 'bore' indicating a specific type of boring action, but the exact procedural meaning is specialized technical vocabulary.

Etymology

Counterbore is formed from counter 'against' and bore 'to make a hole'; as a verb it means to make that wider top opening so the screw head sits level with or below the surface.