noun C1 Advanced

chisel

CHIH-zuhl

Chisel (noun) means a hand tool with a sharp flat edge, used to cut or shape wood, stone, or metal. Example: “The sculptor used a chisel to carve details into the marble.”

noun

A hand tool with a sharp flat edge, used to cut or shape wood, stone, or metal.

"The sculptor used a chisel to carve details into the marble."

verb

To carve or shape material using a chisel.

"He chiseled his initials into the wooden beam."

Informal: to cheat or trick someone out of something, or to gradually erode something.

"They tried to chisel a better price out of the seller."

How to Use Chisel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA cutting tool for wood, stone, or metal, or (as a verb) to shape something with one, or informally, to cheat someone.

Common pairings

chisel away at a wood chisel

Word Forms

chiseled past tense, chiselled past tense, chisels plural, chisels plural, chisels singular

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The sculptor used a _____ to carve details into the marble.

Etymology

From Old Northern French chisel, ultimately from Latin caedō, meaning "to cut" — making it a doublet of "scissors".

Origin: Latin

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “chisel” mean?

The word “chisel” means a hand tool with a sharp flat edge, used to cut or shape wood, stone, or metal. In plain terms, a cutting tool for wood, stone, or metal, or (as a verb) to shape something with one, or informally, to cheat someone.

How do you pronounce “chisel”?

“Chisel” is pronounced CHIH-zuhl (/ˈt͡ʃɪzəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “chisel” in a sentence?

Here is “chisel” used in a sentence: “The sculptor used a chisel to carve details into the marble.”

What part of speech is “chisel”?

Depending on how it is used, “chisel” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “chisel” come from?

The word “chisel” comes from Latin. From Old Northern French chisel, ultimately from Latin caedō, meaning "to cut" — making it a doublet of "scissors".

How many meanings does “chisel” have?

“Chisel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hand tool with a sharp flat edge, used to cut or shape wood, stone, or metal.