pare Definition
- 1to cut off the outer layer of something with a knife in order to make it smaller or smoother
- 2to reduce something gradually
Using pare: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pare" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She pared the apple with a sharp knife.
Example
He pared down his expenses to save money.
Example
The company is looking to pare its workforce.
Example
The chef pared the potatoes into thin slices.
pare Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with pare
Example
The CEO is looking to pare down the company's expenses.
Example
The government is planning to pare back its spending on social programs.
Example
The sculptor pared away at the block of marble until the figure emerged.
Origins of pare
from Old French 'parer', meaning 'to adorn, deck, trim'
Summary: pare in Brief
The verb 'pare' [peə(r)] means to cut off the outer layer of something with a knife to make it smaller or smoother. It can also mean to gradually reduce something. Examples include 'She pared the apple with a sharp knife' and 'The company is looking to pare its workforce.' 'Pare' extends into phrases like 'pare down,' which means to reduce the size or amount of something.