Definition of whittle
archaic
: a large knife
Read the Latest from M-W
Origin and Etymology of whittle
Middle English whittel, alteration of thwitel, from thwiten to whittle, from Old English thwītan; akin to Old Norse thveita to hew
whittle
Definition of whittle
whittled
;whittling
play \ˈhwit-liŋ, ˈwit-; ˈhwi-təl-iŋ, ˈwi-\transitive verb
1a : to pare or cut off chips from the surface of (wood) with a knifeb : to shape or form by so paring or cutting
2 : to reduce, remove, or destroy gradually as if by cutting off bits with a knife : pare whittle down expenses
intransitive verb
1 : to cut or shape something (such as wood) by or as if by paring it with a knife
2 : to wear oneself or another out with fretting
Examples of whittle in a Sentence
He was sitting on the porch, whittling a stick.
She whittled a walking stick from a maple tree branch.
First Known Use of whittle
1552
WHITTLE Defined for English Language Learners
whittle
Definition of whittle for English Language Learners
-
: to cut or shape (a piece of wood) by cutting small pieces from it : to make or shape (something) from a piece of wood by cutting small pieces from it
WHITTLE Defined for Kids
whittle
playDefinition of whittle for Students
whittled
;whittling
1 : to cut or shave off chips from wood : shape by cutting or shaving off chips from wood
2 : to reduce little by little They are trying to whittle down their spending.
Learn More about whittle
-
See words that rhyme with whittle Spanish Central: Translation of whittle Nglish: Translation of whittle for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up whittle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!