chisel

1 of 3

noun

chis·​el ˈchi-zᵊl 

: a metal tool with a sharpened edge at one end used to chip, carve, or cut into a solid material (such as wood, stone, or metal)

chisel

2 of 3

verb

chiseled or chiselled; chiseling or chiselling ˈchi-zə-liŋ 

ˈchiz-liŋ

transitive verb

1

: to cut or work with or as if with a chisel

2

: to employ shrewd or unfair practices on in order to obtain one's end

also : to obtain by such practices

chisel a job

intransitive verb

1

: to work with or as if with a chisel

2

a

: to employ shrewd or unfair practices

b

: to thrust oneself : intrude

chisel in on a racket

chiseler noun

or chiseller

ˈchi-zə-lər 

ˈchiz-lər

chiseled

3 of 3

adjective

chis·​eled ˈchi-zᵊld 

variants or chiselled

: formed or crafted as if with a chisel

chiseled good looks

a chiseled essay

a chiseled physique

Synonyms of chisel

Verb

• pluck
• squeeze
• cheat
• screw
• stick
• sting
• hustle
• beat

Examples of chisel in a Sentence

Verb

He chiseled off a corner of the block.

Letters were chiseled into a wall.

Adjective

He has the chiseled body of an athlete.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bone must be separated from surrounding rock millimeter by millimeter with a pneumatic chisel, whose needle gently breaks away rock while ultraviolet light reveals where the bone ends and the surrounding rock begins. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

Guests shape the piece from start to finish with a chisel and file. — Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Verb

Wilkerson has emerged as one of the top offensive line prospects in Central Florida and has been working hard to chisel his big body into playing form. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2026

Every nation has an origin story, a set of values and principles chiseled into our souls and onto our public spaces. — Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2026

Adjective

In Faintly’s hands, Margolin’s hallucinatory lyrics emerge as sleek, chiseled and lyrical as a Brancusi sculpture. — Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

But Johnson has been historically vocal about the hard work required to build — and maintain — his large, chiseled frame. — Emily Blackwood, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French *chisel, cisel, from Vulgar Latin *cisellum, alteration of caesellum, from Latin caesus, past participle of caedere to cut

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1781, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chisel

• cold chisel
• firmer chisel

Rhymes for chisel

• drizzle
• fizzle
• grizzle
• sizzle

Kids Definition

chisel

1 of 2 noun

chis·​el ˈchiz-əl 

: a metal tool with a cutting edge at the end of a blade used to shape or chip away a solid material (as stone, wood, or metal)

chisel

2 of 2 verb

chiseled or chiselled; chiseling or chiselling

ˈchiz-(ə-)liŋ

1

: to cut or work with or as if with a chisel

2

: to use unfair or dishonest methods

chiseler

ˈchiz-(ə-)lər

noun

Medical Definition

chisel

noun

chis·​el ˈchiz-əl 

: a metal tool with a cutting edge at the end of a blade

especially : one used in dentistry (as for cutting or shaping enamel)