Whittle Meaning in English
word
ˈhwɪtəɫ/, /ˈwɪtəɫ
HWIT-uhl or WIT-uhl
wˈɪtəl
WIT-uhl
Definition
To cut thin slices or small pieces from wood using a knife, or to gradually reduce the amount or size of something.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used for carving wood as a hobby or craft. Can be used figuratively, as in 'whittle down' meaning to reduce something bit by bit. Often appears as 'whittle away' or 'whittle down' in everyday speech.
Spanish: tallar (madera) - reducir poco a pocoPortuguese (BR): entalhar - diminuir aos poucosPortuguese (PT): entalhar - reduzir gradualmenteChinese (Simplified): 削（木头） - 一点点减少Chinese (Traditional): 削（木頭） - 一點點減少Hindi: चिरई करना (लकड़ी) - धीरे-धीरे कम करनाArabic: ينحت (الخشب) - يقلل تدريجياًBengali: কাঁচি দিয়ে削ানো - ছোট ছোট করে কাটা (কিছু ধীরে ধীরে কমান)Russian: точить ножом - уменьшать постепенноJapanese: 削る (けずる) - 少しずつ減らすVietnamese: gọt - giảm dần dầnKorean: 깎다 - 조금씩 줄이다Turkish: yontmak - azar azar azaltmakUrdu: چھیلنا - آہستہ آہستہ کم کرناIndonesian: mengukir - mengurangi sedikit demi sedikit
Example Sentences
He likes to whittle little animals out of wood.
basic
You need a sharp knife to whittle.
basic
He whittled a stick until it was sharp.
basic
We need to whittle down the list of candidates.
natural
She whittled away her time making small wooden toys.
natural
If you keep spending like this, you'll whittle away your savings.
natural