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

The flat method requires adjusting the saw blade to make both a bevel and miter cut. —Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 22 Nov. 2022

Noun

DeWalt double bevel sliding miter saw: on sale for $499 Original price: $669 Save $170 on this sliding miter saw. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025

The key is to look for those slightly larger lugs with the extra bevel. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2025

Verb

The second floor features beveled Varias Green stone portals as frames for each entryway and a private VIP salon was added in a corner. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 May 2025

Its water-resistant surface, beveled edges for enhanced safety, and non-slip rubber backing helped keep it stable. —Toni Sutton, People.com, 3 June 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
• mediaeval
• 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