hatchet
Hatchet (noun) means a small hand axe with a short handle. Example: “He used a hatchet to split kindling for the fire.”
How to use hatchet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small axe — or, idiomatically, a piece of harsh, deliberately damaging criticism.
"Bury the hatchet" means to make peace after a conflict, referencing an old custom of literally burying weapons.
Trace the full origin ↓Word forms
hatcheted past tense, hatchetted past tense, hatchets plural, hatchets singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He used a _____ to split kindling for the fire.
Etymology
From Old French hachete, a diminutive of hache, "axe" — ultimately from the same Frankish root that gives us "hash."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hatchet
See all rhymes for 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.