shaved; shaved or shaven
ˈshā-vən 
; shaving
; shaving
1
a
: to remove a thin layer from
b
: to cut off in thin layers or shreds : slice
c
: to cut off closely
2
a
: to sever the hair from (the head or another part of the body) close to the roots
b
: to cut off (hair or beard) close to the skin
3
4
: to come close to or touch lightly in passing
1
: to cut off hair or beard close to the skin
2
: to proceed with difficulty : scrape
Examples of shave in a Sentence
Verb
She cut herself while shaving her legs.
The sheep were all shaved.
He shaves every morning before breakfast.
I cut myself shaving this morning.
She shaves her dog's fur in the summer.
He shaved some butter from the container.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
With cord-cutting continuing to shave the traditional pay-TV bundle by millions of subscribers a year, however, FAST has become an increasingly vibrant part of the TV ecosystem.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2025
Wallen, with a fresh haircut and clean shave, appeared alongside his attorney, Worrick Robinson, to accept the plea.
—Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shave
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Verb
Tommaso Ciampa has recently undergone a noticeable change in appearance by shaving off his trademark beard.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
With cord-cutting continuing to shave the traditional pay-TV bundle by millions of subscribers a year, however, FAST has become an increasingly vibrant part of the TV ecosystem.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
The Art of Shaving Travel Kit $50 at Amazon
For Harvey, a good shave is non-negotiable, even at sea.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2025
Wallen, with a fresh haircut and clean shave, appeared alongside his attorney, Worrick Robinson, to accept the plea.
—Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shave
Cite this Entry
“Shave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shave. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shave
1 of 2 verb
shaved; shaved or shaven
ˈshā-vən
; shaving
; shaving
1
a
: to cut off in thin layers or shreds
b
: to cut off closely
2
a
: to cut the hair from (as the head) close to the roots
b
: to cut off hair or beard close to the skin
3
: to come close to or touch lightly in passing
the tire shaved the curb
shave
2 of 2 noun1
: a tool for shaving or cutting thin slices
2
: an act or process of shaving especially the beard
3
: a narrow escape
a close shave
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