ratchet

Pluralratchets

Formsratchets, ratcheting, ratcheted

1. 1
   wrenchnouncountable

   A tool for turning nuts and bolts that only grips when you turn it one way.

   Can you hand me the ratchet and the small socket?

   Dad tightened the nuts on the car wheel with a ratchet.

2. 2
   nouncountable

   A machine part made of a wheel with teeth and a small catch that fits between them.

   The ratchet on the winch stops the rope from slipping back.

   You can hear the ratchet click each time the handle turns.

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To make something go up or down, a little at a time.

   The coach ratcheted up the pressure before the big game.

   Ratchet the strap tight so the boxes don't slide around.

   Note
4. 4
   move in notchesverbintransitive

   To move one small step at a time, usually in only one direction.

   The car seat ratchets forward one click at a time.

   These straps ratchet, so you can pull them tighter but they won't slip loose.

5. 5
   trashyadjectiveslangderogatoryUS

   Acting in a rude or improper way that people see as low-class.

   The party got pretty ratchet after midnight.

   My mom said my outfit was too ratchet for church.

   Similartrashy, tacky, classless

   Oppositeclassy, refined

   Note
6. 6
   trashy personnounslangderogatoryUScountable

   A rude name for someone, usually a woman, who acts in a rude, low-class way.

   Some ratchet in the line started screaming at the cashier.

   Don't call her a ratchet, that's really mean.

   Note
7. 7
   nouncountable

   A rule or process that only moves one way, usually up.

   The new rules are a ratchet: every year they get stricter and never loosen.

   People are tired of the ratchet of rising bus fares.

   Note
8. 8
   nouncountable

   A small catch that stops a toothed wheel from turning back, or pushes it forward.

   The ratchet dropped into the next tooth and the wheel stopped.

   Lift the ratchet if you want the wheel to spin back.

   Similarpawl

   Note
9. 9
   rattlenouncountable

   A noisy toy or instrument that makes a loud clicking sound when you spin it.

   The fans spun ratchets and blew horns when the team scored.

   My little brother loves his noisy wooden ratchet.

   Similarrattle, noisemaker

10. 10
    investingnounabbreviationellipsis

    Short for full ratchet. Investors use it as a quick way to say the longer name.

    The early investors wanted a ratchet in case the company later sold shares at a lower price.

    The company had to sell new shares cheaply, and the ratchet gave the first investors more shares to make up for it.

    Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 10