What does shaving mean?
Shaving most commonly denotes the use of a razor to remove hair from the face, although the same word can refer more broadly to removing body hair. It also names the process of cutting wood, metal, or another material into very thin slices with a blade. As a verb, shaving has these literal meanings and a further sense of passing very close to someone or something, as in a boat shaving past the rocks. In ordinary use, the word often carries a domestic, everyday association: morning shaving, shaving cream, and the familiar sound of a razor. A “shaving” can also mean a small strip of material removed by a blade, usually in the plural “shavings.” The word is useful because it links a familiar personal routine with several technical and metaphorical senses without requiring highly specialized vocabulary.
The act of removing hair with a razor, especially facial hair. It can also mean a thin strip of material removed with a blade or the process of cutting a material into thin slices.
"His daily shaving routine took only a few minutes."
The process is normally treated as an uncountable noun; the plural “shavings” is used for the small strips removed from wood, metal, or other materials.
To remove hair from the skin with a razor; to cut a material into thin slices; or to pass very close to someone or something.
"The blade shaved a delicate curl from the edge of the wood."
The sense of passing very close is usually literary, while removing hair and taking thin slices are common literal uses.
The plural is used chiefly for thin strips of material removed with a blade. The act or process of shaving is normally expressed as an uncountable noun.
"Fine shavings covered the workbench."
Shaving has two classic meanings: clearing your face and curling wood into delicate ribbons.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shaving come from?
The modern English verb continues Old English sceafan, meaning “to scrape or shave,” while the noun developed from closely related Old English forms referring to shaving and to a blade. The word has relatives in other Germanic languages, including Old Norse skafa and Dutch schaven, both associated with scraping. English derivatives include shaver, a person or device that shaves, and shavetail, a type of braid or hairstyle.
Related word forms
How shaving is actually used
The word is neutral in register and shows no major British–American difference. The sense of passing very close is somewhat literary, while references to removing hair are common in everyday speech.
Easily confused with shaving
Shaving usually names the process of removing hair or cutting a material, whereas shavings are the thin strips of material removed by a blade.