shave

The word “shave” means to cut hair close to the skin using a razor or similar tool. In plain terms, to cut hair very close to the skin, cut a thin slice off something, or trim a small amount off a total.

“Shave” is pronounced shayv (/ʃeɪv/ in IPA).

Here is “shave” used in a sentence: “He shaves his face every morning before work.”

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

The word “shave” comes from Old English. From Old English sċafan, "to scrape or shave," from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to scrape," related to words in Dutch and German with the same core meaning.

“Shave” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Shave” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cut hair close to the skin using a razor or similar tool.

To 'shave' means to cut hair close to the skin using a razor, removing it almost entirely, while to 'trim' means to cut hair shorter without removing it completely. Shaving typically leaves smooth skin, whereas trimming maintains some length.

To 'shave' a price, cost, or time means to reduce it slightly, such as shaving a few seconds off a race time or shaving a small amount off a bill.

As a verb, 'shave' describes the action of cutting hair close to the skin or slicing off a thin layer. As a noun, 'a shave' refers to an instance of shaving, especially of the face, or idiomatically to a narrow escape, as in 'a close shave.'