chisel

1 of 2

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 2

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

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The young woman who sojourned to Oberlin College, where she was wrongfully accused of poisoning her classmates and beaten half to death, who raised her hands in defense of herself, then went on to grip clay and rock and chisel to re-create visions of justice. —Tyehimba Jess, ARTnews.com, 17 Apr. 2026

From the big room beyond, where men are working with chisels and planes, wafts a powerful smell of wood glue. —Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026

Verb

The hood looks chiseled, and the whole silhouette gives a very boxy feel. —New Atlas, 23 Apr. 2026

Charlotte has the assets to chisel its way into the acquisition conversation over the next two months, leaving Peterson in solid position to make some upgrades and possibly tweak the Hornets’ roster makeup to increase the physicality necessary to hang with some of the NBA’s top teams. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing chisel

• cold chisel
• firmer chisel

Rhymes for chisel

• drizzle
• fizzle
• grizzle
• sisal
• 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)