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
Michelle Lee, People.com, 5 June 2025
To begin, researchers tried to mimic sun exposure by shaving the dorsal skin of mice and applying cis-urocanic acid (dissolved in water).
—Jay Kakade
june 03, New Atlas, 3 June 2025
Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2025
Designed to tackle even the coarsest hair, its ceramic blades deliver a clean, smooth shave every time.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shave
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show current usage.
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Verb
An article published that year by The New York Times notes that Davis shaved the front of her head for the part.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 5 June 2025
To begin, researchers tried to mimic sun exposure by shaving the dorsal skin of mice and applying cis-urocanic acid (dissolved in water).
—Jay Kakade
june 03, New Atlas, 3 June 2025
Noun
Gillette Labs Heated Razor Gold Edition Buy him a better facial hair game with this high-tech heated razor meant to simulate the feeling of a hot towel shave.
—Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2025
Designed to tackle even the coarsest hair, its ceramic blades deliver a clean, smooth shave every time.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shave
Cite this Entry
“Shave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shave. Accessed 10 Jun. 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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