verb
carve
kahv
verb
1
To cut something, especially to shape it artistically or to slice cooked meat.
"He carved a small wooden bird for his daughter."
"Dad always carves the turkey at Christmas dinner."
2
To create or establish something, especially with effort, such as a reputation or path.
"She carved out a career in journalism against the odds."
How to Use Carve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cut or shape something, literally (wood, meat) or figuratively (a career, a niche).
Common pairings
carve a statue
carve the meat
carve out a niche
Word Forms
carved past tense, carven past tense, carves plural, carves singular
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Etymology
From Old English ceorfan ("to cut, notch"), related to German kerben ("to notch") and distantly to the Greek root behind "graph."