# spanner

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈspæn.ə/ · frequency rank #48,499

## Definitions
1. A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts.
2. A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts.
3. One who, or that which, spans.
4. A (usually sparse) graph whose shortest path distances approximate those in a dense graph or other metric space.
5. A hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket.
6. A device in early steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.
7. A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome (in the phrase spanner in the works)
8. A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.

## Etymology
From span + -er.

## Easily confused with
- **Spencer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spanner-vs-spencer)
- **spinner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spanner-vs-spinner)
- **stunner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spanner-vs-stunner)
- **spooner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spanner-vs-spooner)
- **spender** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spanner-vs-spender)
- **Spenser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spanner-vs-spenser)
- **sinner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sinner-vs-spanner)
- **sander** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sander-vs-spanner)
- **sanger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sanger-vs-spanner)
- **spacer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spacer-vs-spanner)
- **scanner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scanner-vs-spanner)
- **skinner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skinner-vs-spanner)
- **slander** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slander-vs-spanner)
- **spandex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spandex-vs-spanner)
- **spanked** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spanked-vs-spanner)
- **spaniel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spaniel-vs-spanner)
- **Shatner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shatner-vs-spanner)

## Common misspellings (9)
`psanner`, `sapnner`, `spanenr`, `spaner`, `spannerr`, `spannre`, `spnaner`, `sppanner`, `sspanner`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/spanner