carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

transitive verb

1

: to cut with care or precision

carved fretwork

2

: to make or get by or as if by cutting

—often used with out

carve out a career

3

: to cut into pieces or slices

carved the turkey

intransitive verb

1

: to cut up and serve meat

2

: to work as a sculptor or engraver

carver noun

Synonyms

• sculpt

Examples of carve in a Sentence

We carved an ice sculpture.

Who is going to carve the turkey?

He carved while I made the gravy.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are up to 20,000 rabid people raining down their emotions from all angles, a dozen sticks clattering, two dozen skates carving, all those burly bodies bumping into each other and banging into the boards, plus an endless stream of screaming and grunting and cursing. —Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Known for their electric performances and dynamic stage presence, the boy group — consisting of San and fellow members Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho — has managed to carve out a space for themselves in the industry. —Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025

Yet despite all that heavy traffic, Tame Impala‘s Kevin Parker has easily carved own his own unique lane. —Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

His skin is ivory white, inspired by the alabaster statues carved by Old Masters, with joining wounds that mimic flattering contour-lines. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English kerven, from Old English ceorfan; akin to Old High German kerban to notch, Greek graphein to scratch, write

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing carve

• carve up

Rhymes for carve

• starve

Kids Definition

carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

1

: to cut with care or exactness

2

: to cut into pieces or slices

3

: to cut up and serve meat

carver noun