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 of carve

• 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

In 2025, Goldson started the Vineyard Icon Awards to carve out a moment to honor those who have lived, resided, or invested their lives and time on the island. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Speedy receiver Mason Tipton carved out a path for himself after signing with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and enters his third NFL season recovering from offseason tibia surgery. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Everything is hand-carved, painted and sewn in the facility but craftspeople. — Carole Horst, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

The men’s and women’s brand has carved a niche in the market with its elevated everyday essentials and small-scale local production. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

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