What does declaw mean?
To declaw an animal — most often a domestic cat — is to remove its claws, typically through a surgical procedure that amputates the last bone of each toe rather than simply trimming the claw itself. Because of this, many veterinarians and animal welfare organizations consider declawing inhumane, and the practice has been banned or heavily restricted in numerous countries, including much of Europe. The word also has a figurative use: to "declaw" a person, law, or institution is to strip it of its power or capacity to cause harm, as when new rules are said to have declawed a regulatory agency. Formed from the prefix "de-" plus "claw," the verb entered English in the twentieth century as the practice itself became widespread. Its strong connotations make it a pointed word in debates over animal rights and institutional authority alike.
verbTo remove the claws from an animal, especially by surgical amputation of the last bone of each toe in cats.
- To remove the claws of an animal, typically by surgical amputation of each toe's last joint; figuratively, to deprive someone or something of their power or effectiveness.
"The veterinarian refused to declaw the kitten, explaining that it is an amputation rather than a simple trim."
"Many European countries have outlawed the practice of declawing cats for cosmetic reasons."
"The new regulations effectively declawed the watchdog agency."
Declawing isn't a manicure — it amputates the last bone of each toe, which is why several countries have banned it outright.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of declaw
Declaw is formed transparently within English from the prefix "de-" (indicating removal) combined with the noun "claw," which derives from Old English "clawe." The verb arose in the twentieth century alongside the veterinary practice it names, following the pattern of other de- + noun formations such as "dehorn" and "debone." Its figurative extension to institutions and people developed naturally from the literal surgical sense.
Related word forms
How declaw is actually used
Primarily used in veterinary and animal-welfare contexts, where it carries strong negative connotations due to ethical concerns about the surgery. The figurative sense — stripping an institution or person of their power — is less common but well established in journalism and political commentary.
Easily confused with declaw
"Declaw" means removing an animal's claws, while "defang" means removing an animal's fangs or teeth.