Standard Lemma guide

countersink

noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A conical recess, typically machined at the mouth of a hole to admit a screw (with a matching taper) so that the screw sits flush with a surface.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The cutter used to cut such a recess. (Also used, at less depth, for edge-breaking/deburring.)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Holonym: center drill (combined drill and countersink)

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: countersinker

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cutter, cutting tool

3

verb

Meaning 3

To create such a conical recess.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • to countersink a hole for a screw

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To cause to sink even with or below the surface.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • to countersink a screw or bolt into woodwork

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

a bit for enlarging the upper part of a hole

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: counterbore, countersink bit

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bit

6

noun

Meaning 6

a hole (usually in wood) with the top part enlarged so that a screw or bolt will fit into it and lie below the surface

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: hole

7

verb

Meaning 7

insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: set

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bury, sink

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe? Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Proto-Indo-European *-teros Proto-Italic *-teros Proto-Italic *komterosder. Proto-Italic *komterād Latin contrāder. Old French contre- Anglo-Norman countre-bor. Middle English counter- English counter- English sink English countersink From counter- + sink.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: фрезенк (frezenk) — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Finnish: upotusreikä — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • French: fraisure — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • German: Ansenkung — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • German: Senkbohrung — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Hungarian: süllyesztés — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Italian: svasatura — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Italian: accecatura — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Italian: accecatoio — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Italian: alesatura — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Macedonian: впуст (vpust) — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Māori: korotiwha — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Spanish: avellanado — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Turkish: havşa — a conical recess machined around a hole
  • Finnish: upottaa — to create a conical recess
  • German: ansenken — to create a conical recess
  • German: versenken — to create a conical recess
  • Italian: accecare — to create a conical recess
  • Italian: svasare — to create a conical recess
  • Macedonian: впуштање (vpuštanje) — to create a conical recess
  • Māori: korotiwha — to create a conical recess
  • Portuguese: rebaixar — to create a conical recess
  • Spanish: avellanar — to create a conical recess
  • Turkish: havşa açmak — to create a conical recess