Chisel

/ˈt͡ʃɪzəl/ · noun

Meaning

A cutting tool used to remove parts of stone, wood or metal by pushing or pounding the back when the sharp edge is against the material. It consists of a slim, oblong block of metal with a sharp wedge or bevel formed on one end and sometimes a handle at the other end; there are hand tool versions (the original type) and versions as bits for power tools..

Definitions by Sense

1. A cutting tool used to remove parts of stone, wood or metal by pushing or pounding the back when the sharp edge is against the material. It consists of a slim, oblong block of metal with a sharp wedge or bevel formed on one end and sometimes a handle at the other end; there are hand tool versions (the original type) and versions as bits for power tools.
2. A part of any of various tools or devices that has an analogous purpose, cutting raw material or a workpiece during the process that the tool or device performs.
3. (intransitive) To use a chisel.
4. (transitive) To work something with a chisel.
5. (transitive, dated) To barge in on (something); to intrude on (something).
6. (transitive, figurative) To make small changes to (something), bit by bit, resulting in change over time.
7. (ambitransitive, informal) To beg or pressure somebody into giving up (something); to haggle excessively; to cheat; to obtain something from (someone) by cheating.
8. Gravel.

Example Sentences

She chiselled a sculpture out of the block of wood.

Laws that protect the environment are being chiseled away.

He's managed to chisel a couple dollars from somewhere.

She can always chisel whatever she needs from her father.

She's always either chiseling or groveling, it seems.

Synonyms for chisel

Antonyms for chisel

Related Words

Word Forms

• chisels
• chiseling
• chiselling
• chiseled
• chiselled
• chesil
• chissel
• chessil

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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