hatchet
1 synonym for hatchet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small hand axe with a short handle.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use hatchet
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
bury the hatchet
hatchet job
swing a hatchet
Etymology
From Old French hachete, a diminutive of hache, "axe" — ultimately from the same Frankish root that gives us "hash."
Full origin of hatchet →Frequently asked questions
What does “hatchet” mean?
The word “hatchet” means a small hand axe with a short handle. In plain terms, a small axe — or, idiomatically, a piece of harsh, deliberately damaging criticism.
How do you pronounce “hatchet”?
“Hatchet” is pronounced HAT-shiht (/ˈhæt͡ʃɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hatchet” in a sentence?
Here is “hatchet” used in a sentence: “He used a hatchet to split kindling for the fire.”
What part of speech is “hatchet”?
“Hatchet” is a noun.
Where does the word “hatchet” come from?
The word “hatchet” comes from Old French. From Old French hachete, a diminutive of hache, "axe" — ultimately from the same Frankish root that gives us "hash.".
Is “hatchet” a common word?
“Hatchet” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hatchet” have?
“Hatchet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small hand axe with a short handle.
