razor
RAY-zuh
Razor (noun) means a sharp-bladed tool used for shaving hair from the skin. Example: “He nicked his chin with the razor while shaving in a hurry.”
noun
1
A sharp-bladed tool used for shaving hair from the skin.
"He nicked his chin with the razor while shaving in a hurry."
"She packed a spare razor for the holiday."
"My dad replaced the blade in his razor before the wedding."
2
A principle used to cut away unlikely or unnecessary explanations when reasoning through a problem.
"Occam's razor suggests the simplest explanation is usually the right one."
verb
1
To shave something with a razor.
"He razored off his beard before the interview."
"The barber razored the back of my neck until it was smooth."
"She razored her legs before the swimming competition."
How to use razor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA blade for shaving, or, figuratively, a rule for cutting down to the simplest explanation.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
razor blade
Occam's razor
razor-sharp
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like razor.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- razors
- Third person singular
- razors
- Past tense
- razored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He nicked his chin with the _____ while shaving in a hurry.
Etymology
From Old French rasour, from raser ("to scrape, to shave") — the same root as "raze."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “razor” mean?
The word “razor” means a sharp-bladed tool used for shaving hair from the skin. In plain terms, a blade for shaving, or, figuratively, a rule for cutting down to the simplest explanation.
How do you pronounce “razor”?
“Razor” is pronounced RAY-zuh (/ˈɹeɪzɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “razor” in a sentence?
Here is “razor” used in a sentence: “He nicked his chin with the razor while shaving in a hurry.”
What part of speech is “razor”?
Depending on how it is used, “razor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “razor” come from?
The word “razor” comes from Old French. From Old French rasour, from raser ("to scrape, to shave") — the same root as "raze.".
Is “razor” a common word?
“Razor” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “razor” have?
“Razor” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sharp-bladed tool used for shaving hair from the skin.
What is the difference between a razor and Occam's razor?
A razor as a physical tool is a sharp-bladed instrument used for shaving hair from the skin. In reasoning and philosophy, a razor is a principle used to cut away unlikely or unnecessary explanations, as in Occam's razor, which favors the simplest sufficient explanation.
What does it mean to use a philosophical razor?
Using a philosophical razor means applying a guiding principle to eliminate unlikely, overly complex, or unnecessary explanations when reasoning through a problem, helping narrow down to the most plausible answer.
Can razor be used as a verb?
Yes, razor can be used as a verb meaning to shave something with a razor, as in 'he razored off his stubble.'
