saw
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for saw, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A hand or power tool with a toothed or abrasive blade, used for cutting hard materials like wood or metal.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use saw
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English saga/sagu, from a Germanic root related to "cutting" — the "old saying" sense comes from a separate Old English word meaning "speech."
Full origin of saw →Frequently asked questions
What does “saw” mean?
The word “saw” means a hand or power tool with a toothed or abrasive blade, used for cutting hard materials like wood or metal. In plain terms, a cutting tool, the act of cutting with one, or (less commonly) an old saying.
How do you pronounce “saw”?
“Saw” is pronounced saw (/sɔː/ in IPA).
How do you use “saw” in a sentence?
Here is “saw” used in a sentence: “He used a saw to cut the plank in half.”
What part of speech is “saw”?
Depending on how it is used, “saw” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “saw” come from?
The word “saw” comes from Old English. From Old English saga/sagu, from a Germanic root related to "cutting" — the "old saying" sense comes from a separate Old English word meaning "speech.".
Is “saw” a common word?
“Saw” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “saw” have?
“Saw” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hand or power tool with a toothed or abrasive blade, used for cutting hard materials like wood or metal.
What are the types of saw?
Common hand saws include the general-purpose handsaw, the hacksaw for metal, the coping saw for curves, and the tenon saw for joints. Power saws include the circular saw, jigsaw, table saw, band saw, and chainsaw. Each is shaped for particular materials, cuts, and levels of precision.
What is a saw used for?
A saw is used to cut through hard materials, most often wood, but also metal, plastic, stone, or bone, depending on the blade. Its toothed or abrasive edge slices as it moves back and forth or spins. Saws are essential in carpentry, construction, metalwork, and many home repairs.
What is the difference between a saw and a hacksaw?
A hacksaw is one particular kind of saw. 'Saw' is the general word for any cutting tool with a toothed or abrasive blade. A hacksaw is a specific hand saw with a fine-toothed blade held in a C-shaped frame, designed mainly for cutting metal and plastic rather than wood.
Is 'saw' the same word as the past tense of 'see'?
No — they are spelled the same but unrelated. The noun 'saw' is a cutting tool, while 'saw' as a verb is the past tense of 'see,' as in 'I saw a film.' Words that share a spelling but differ in meaning like this are called homographs.