bevel

1 of 3

adjective

bev·​el ˈbe-vəl 

: oblique, beveled

a bevel edge

bevel

2 of 3

noun

1

: an instrument consisting of two rules or arms jointed together and opening to any angle for drawing angles or adjusting surfaces to be cut at an angle

2

a

: the angle that one surface or line makes with another when they are not at right angles

b

: the slant of such a surface or line

c

: the surface or line at such a slant or inclination

3

: the part of printing type extending from face to shoulder

Illustration of bevel

• bevel 2c

bevel

3 of 3

verb

beveled or bevelled; beveling or bevelling

ˈbev-liŋ, 

ˈbe-və- 

transitive verb

: to cut or shape to a bevel

intransitive verb

: incline, slant

Examples of bevel in a Sentence

Noun

the bevel of the mirror

Verb

a tool that is used for beveling wood

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Here, the nut on the left marks the point at which this bevel head bolt will be cut to length. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023

Adjustments may be made quickly with a lever that lowers and raises the base plate and an adjustment knob at the front sets the bevel angle. — Cary Jenkins, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2021

Noun

The bevel is the lip of the scissor blade that slopes downward. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026

Only the outside edge of the pruner blade gets a bevel. — Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Jan. 2026

Verb

And why were their tops beveled flat? — Quanta Magazine, 26 May 2026

The metal sides are beveled toward the screen with a shiny finish. — PC Magazine, 28 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French *bevel, from Old French *baivel, from baïf with open mouth, from baer to yawn — more at abeyance

First Known Use

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1678, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing bevel

• bevel gear

Rhymes for bevel

• devil
• level
• daredevil
• sublevel
• multilevel

Kids Definition

bevel

1 of 2 noun

bev·​el ˈbev-əl 

1

: the angle that one surface or line makes with another when they are not at right angles

2

: the slant of a bevel

bevel

2 of 2 verb

beveled or bevelled; beveling or bevelling

ˈbev-(ə-)liŋ

: to cut or shape (as an edge) so as to form a bevel