Definition

A type of stone used to sharpen the edges of tools and knives.

Example

He used a whetstone to sharpen his kitchen knives before cooking.

Conversation

Hey, do you know where I can find a good whetstone for my knives?

Yeah, I think there's a shop downtown that sells them.

Great! I need to sharpen my chef's knife before the weekend.

A whetstone will definitely help you get the best edge.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Whetstone → The word is formed from "whet" (from Old English *hwettan*, meaning to sharpen) and "stone" (from Old English *stan*, meaning rock or stone). A whetstone is a stone used to sharpen blades or tools.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sharpening' something with a 'stone' — that's what a whetstone does.

Visually Confused Words