verb

shave

to shave, to cut off hair, to slice thinly, to reduce slightly

He shaves every morning.

He shaves every morning.

She shaved her legs.

She shaved her legs.

The carpenter shaved a thin layer off the wood.

The carpenter shaved a thin layer off the wood.

They shaved a few seconds off the record time.

They shaved a few seconds off the record time.

to remove hair from the face or body He shaves every morning.

((sth.)) to remove hair from (a part of the body) She shaved her legs.

((sth.)) ((off sth.)) to cut a thin slice from (sth.) The carpenter shaved a thin layer off the wood.

((sth.)) ((off sth.)) to reduce (sth.) by a small amount They shaved a few seconds off the record time.

Synonyms: trim, cut, pare

From Old English 'sceafan', meaning 'to scrape or pare'.

Think of a sharp blade 'shaving' away hair or a thin layer of wood.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.