noun
adze
ADZ
Adze (noun) means a hand tool for shaping wood, whose arched blade is mounted across the end of the handle rather than in line with it. Example: “The carpenter smoothed the beam with an adze.”
noun
1
A hand tool for shaping wood, whose arched blade is mounted across the end of the handle rather than in line with it.
"The carpenter smoothed the beam with an adze."
"An adze works well for hollowing out a wooden bowl."
"She hung the old adze on the workshop wall beside the axes."
verb
1
To shape wood or another material using an adze.
"He adzed the log into a rough plank."
"The boatbuilders adzed the timber by hand."
How to use adze
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hand tool for shaping wood, a bit like an axe turned sideways.
When to use it
It is a specialist word, mostly used when talking about woodworking or traditional tools.
Memory tip
It sounds exactly like adds, so context tells you which one is meant.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
adds
ads →
Common pairings
swing an adze
hand adze
adze blade
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The carpenter smoothed the beam with an _____.
Etymology
The word comes from Middle English, which took it from Old English. It is thought to descend from an unattested Proto-Germanic form.
Synonyms
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adz
Frequently asked questions
What is an adze used for?
An adze is used to shape wood. Its arched blade is mounted across the end of the handle, not in line with it.
How do you pronounce adze?
It is pronounced ADZ, the same as adds and ads.
Is adze spelled adz?
Adz is a recognised variant spelling in American English. Adze is the standard form.
What is the meaning of adze?
"adze" (noun) means a hand tool for shaping wood, whose arched blade is mounted across the end of the handle rather than in line with it.
