shave

play

verb \ˈshāv\

Definition of shave

shaved

;

shaved

shaven

play \ˈshā-vən\;

shaving

transitive verb
1a : to remove a thin layer fromb : to cut off in thin layers or shreds : slicec : to cut off closely
2a : to sever the hair from (the head or another part of the body) close to the rootsb : to cut off (hair or beard) close to the skin
3a : to discount (a note) at an exorbitant rateb : deduct, reducec : to conspire to score fewer (points) than one is capable of (as to affect gambling outcomes)
4 : to come close to or touch lightly in passing
intransitive verb
1 : to cut off hair or beard close to the skin
2 : to proceed with difficulty : scrape

See shave defined for English-language learners

See shave defined for kids

Examples of shave in a Sentence

She cut herself while shaving her legs.
The sheep were all shaved.
He shaves every morning before breakfast.
I cut myself shaving this morning.
She shaves her dog's fur in the summer.
He shaved some butter from the container.

Origin and Etymology of shave

Middle English, from Old English scafan; akin to Lithuanian skobti to pluck, Latin scabere to scratch, and perhaps to Greek koptein to cut — more at capon

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First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

shave

noun

Definition of shave

1 : shaver 3
2 : a thin slice : shaving
3 : an act or the process of shaving

See shave defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of shave

before 12th century

SHAVE Defined for English Language Learners

shave

play

verb

Definition of shave for English Language Learners

: to cut the hair, wool, etc., off (someone or something) very close to the skin
: to cut off (hair, wool, a beard, etc.) very close to the skin
: to remove a thin layer of (something) from something

shave

noun

Definition of shave for English Language Learners

: an act of shaving

SHAVE Defined for Kids

shave

play

verb \ˈshāv\

Definition of shave for Students

shaved

;

shaved

shaven

\ˈshā-vən\;

shaving

1 : to cut or trim off a thin layer of (as with a sharp blade) I shaved the wood from the tip of the pencil.
2 : to cut off very close to the skin He shaved the hair from his head.
3 : to make bare or smooth by cutting the hair from He shaved his face.