shave

shave — noun

1. the action of removing hair from the skin using a razor, done most commonly by m

1.nounB1
Definition

the action of removing hair from the skin using a razor, done most commonly by men on their faces each day

Example

Takeshi decided he needed a shave before the job interview.

collocation: need a shave

Selim the barber gave the young man a close shave with a straight razor.

collocation: a close shave

Common collocations
  • a close shave
  • a clean shave
  • a quick shave
  • need a shave
  • have a shave
Synonyms
  • trim

    less complete removal, usually with scissors rather than a razor

Grammar Patterns

have a shave

need a shave

give someone a shave

shave — verb

Word family

  • shaving
    nounB1
  • shaver
    nounB2
  • shaven
    adjectiveB2
  • unshaven
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve cutting or removing hair, but they differ in method and completeness. 'Shave' means cutting hair off at skin level using a razor, leaving the surface completely smooth. 'Trim' means cutting hair shorter without removing it entirely, usually with scissors — you trim a beard or trim split ends. 'Wax' removes hair from the root using heated wax, so it stays away longer but grows back softer. 'Clip' uses scissors or electric clippers to shorten hair to a uniform length, common for haircuts (a barber clips your hair) or pet grooming. For example: 'Asher shaves his face every morning' (smooth skin), but 'Asher trims his beard every few weeks' (shorter but still present). 'Shanti waxes her legs before summer' (root removal, lasts weeks), while 'the dog groomer clips the poodle's fur' (even length all over).

shave ↗trim ↗waxclip ↗

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'shave' comes from Old English 'scafan' meaning 'to scrape or cut off'. This word traces back through Proto-Germanic '*skabaną' and further to Proto-Indo-European '*skabʰ-' meaning 'to cut or split'. It is related to German 'schaben' (to scrape) and Latin 'scabere' (to scratch). The sporting sense of deliberately limiting points (verb sense 3) emerged in 20th-century American English from the broader idea of 'shaving off' or reducing something.