chisel

1 of 3

noun (1)

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

chiseler

3 of 3

noun (2)

chis·​el·​er

variants or chiseller

ˈchi-zə-lər 

ˈchiz-

plural -s

1

: one that chisels : cheat : petty crook : gouger

2

Irish : child

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

Small-scale looters, sometimes with the help of local military personnel, would remove the works with shovels, chisels, picks and even dynamite before transporting them, often by oxcart, to the Thai border. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 June 2026

On a typical two-flute drill bit, the web also forms the chisel edge at the tip of the bit. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 5 June 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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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 (1)

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
• 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)