First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1whittle
noun whit·tle \ˈhwi-təl, ˈwi-\
Definition of WHITTLE
archaic : a large knife
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of WHITTLE
Middle English whittel, alteration of thwitel, from thwiten to whittle, from Old English thwītan; akin to Old Norse thveita to hew
2whittle
verb
: to cut or shape (a piece of wood) by cutting small pieces from it : to make or shape (something) from a piece of wood by cutting small pieces from it
whit·tledwhit·tling \ˈhwit-liŋ, ˈwit-; ˈhwi-təl-iŋ, ˈwi-\
Full Definition of WHITTLE
transitive verb
1
a : to pare or cut off chips from the surface of (wood) with a knife b : to shape or form by so paring or cutting
2
: to reduce, remove, or destroy gradually as if by cutting off bits with a knife : pare <whittle down expenses>
intransitive verb
1
: to cut or shape something (as wood) by or as if by paring it with a knife
2
: to wear oneself or another out with fretting
— whit·tler \ˈhwit-lər, ˈwit-; ˈhwi-təl-ər, ˈwi-\ noun
See whittle defined for English-language learners
See whittle defined for kids
First Known Use of WHITTLE
1552
WHITTLE Defined for Kids
whittle
verb whit·tle \ˈhwi-təl, ˈwi-\
whit·tledwhit·tling
Definition of WHITTLE for Kids
1
: to cut or shave off chips from wood : shape by cutting or shaving off chips from wood
2
: to reduce little by little <They are trying to whittle down their spending.>
Learn More About WHITTLE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: whittlingPrevious Word in the Dictionary: whittie–whattieAll Words Near: whittle
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up whittle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).