Master English one word at a time. World of Words provides a daily English word with its precise meaning, pronunciation, and practical usage examples to help you build a powerful vocabulary.
To whittle is to shape wood by carving off small pieces with a knife, usually in a slow, careful way. The word can metaphorically extend to reducing something bit by bit, as if trimming it down to its essentials. There's a steady rhythm to whittling, whether you're working with your hands or refining an idea.
Example: The quiet man sat on the porch to whittle a small bird figurine from a cedar block.
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Catch up on this week in words. | Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding.
Stories about a mountain bridge, an underground network, and leftward tendencies all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news. Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding.
