carve Definition
- 1to cut a shape or pattern into something, especially wood or stone
- 2to make something by cutting into it, especially wood or stone
- 3to cut meat, vegetables, etc. into pieces
Using carve: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "carve" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He carved a statue out of wood.
Example
She carved her initials into the tree trunk.
Example
I carved the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
Example
The artist carved intricate designs into the stone.
carve Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with carve
to create a specialized area of expertise or business in a competitive environment
Example
The company was able to carve out a niche in the market by focusing on eco-friendly products.
carve up
to divide something into smaller parts, especially in an unfair or selfish way
Example
The colonial powers carved up Africa into different territories without regard for the existing ethnic groups.
Example
The hikers had to carve a path through the dense forest to reach the summit.
Origins of carve
from Old English 'ceorfan', meaning 'to cut'
Summary: carve in Brief
To 'carve' [kɑːv] means to cut a shape or pattern into something, make something by cutting into it, or cut meat or vegetables into pieces. It is often used in the context of creating art or preparing food, as in 'He carved a statue out of wood.' 'Carve' also extends into phrases like 'carve out a niche,' meaning to create a specialized area of expertise, and 'carve up,' meaning to divide something unfairly.
