noun
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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
1
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
1
To carve or shape material using a chisel.
"He chiseled his initials into the wooden beam."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- chisels
- Third person singular
- chisels
- Past tense
- chiseled, chiselled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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".
Synonyms
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cheat
rip off
Related words
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.
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