tool

/tul/
noun
  1. A device or implement used to carry out a particular function, especially one held in the hand.
    • The carpenter sharpened his tools before starting the job.
    • She keeps her gardening tools in a shed behind the house.
    • A hammer is a basic tool for any home repair project.
  2. Something used to help achieve a goal or perform a task, not necessarily a physical object.
    • Time management is an essential tool for success in college.
    • The software provides tools for editing photos and videos.
    • The internet is a powerful tool for learning new skills.
  3. A person who is used or manipulated by another, often without realizing it.
    • The politician used the journalist as a tool to spread false information.
    • The spy was just a tool for the larger intelligence operation.
    • He felt like a tool when he found out his friend had been using him.
verb
  1. To shape, work on, or decorate something using a tool or tools.
    • He tooled the metal surface with a fine chisel.
    • She tooled the clay into a smooth bowl on the potter's wheel.
    • The artisan tooled the leather to create a beautiful pattern.
  2. To drive or ride in a vehicle, especially in a casual or leisurely way.
    • We spent the afternoon tooling along the coast on our bicycles.
    • He tooled down the highway with the windows open.
    • They tooled around the countryside in an old convertible.