carve
2 synonyms for carve, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cut something, especially to shape it artistically or to slice cooked meat.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
cut up
chip at
How to use carve
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
carve a statue
carve the meat
carve out a niche
Etymology
From Old English ceorfan ("to cut, notch"), related to German kerben ("to notch") and distantly to the Greek root behind "graph."
Full origin of carve →Frequently asked questions
What does “carve” mean?
The word “carve” means to cut something, especially to shape it artistically or to slice cooked meat. In plain terms, to cut or shape something, literally (wood, meat) or figuratively (a career, a niche).
How do you pronounce “carve”?
“Carve” is pronounced kahv (/kɑɹv/ in IPA).
How do you use “carve” in a sentence?
Here is “carve” used in a sentence: “He carved a small wooden bird for his daughter.”
What part of speech is “carve”?
“Carve” is a verb.
Where does the word “carve” come from?
The word “carve” comes from Old English. From Old English ceorfan ("to cut, notch"), related to German kerben ("to notch") and distantly to the Greek root behind "graph.".
Is “carve” a common word?
“Carve” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “carve” have?
“Carve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cut something, especially to shape it artistically or to slice cooked meat.
