whittle
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈhwɪtəl/
KK: /ˈhwɪtəl/
intransitive verb
Definition
To cut or shape wood using a knife, often by removing small pieces.
Example
He likes to whittle small figures out of wood during his free time.
Tense Forms
Past: whittled
Past Participle: whittled
Conversation
What are you doing with that piece of wood?
I’m just going to whittle it into a small figure.
That sounds fun! I’ve never tried to whittle before.
You should! It's really relaxing and a great way to pass the time.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
carve
shape
trim
Antonyms
assemble
join
combine
noun
Definition
A large knife used for carving or shaping wood.
Example
He used a whittle to carve a small figure from the piece of wood.
Conversation
I just bought a new whittle for my camping trip.
That sounds cool! What kind did you get?
It's a large one with a nice grip, perfect for carving.
transitive verb
Definition
To cut away small pieces from something, usually wood, to shape it or make it smaller.
Example
He likes to whittle small figures out of wood during his free time.
Tense Forms
Past: whittled
Past Participle: whittled
Conversation
I spent the afternoon trying to whittle a small boat out of wood.
That sounds fun! How did it turn out?
It's still a work in progress, but I think I can really whittle it down to shape soon.
Root Explanation
Whittle originates from Middle English 'whittlen', which is a frequentative form of 'whit', meaning to cut or to carve. The word describes the action of cutting away material, typically wood, in small shavings or slices.
Memory Tip
Imagine carefully 'cutting' ('whit') away small pieces to shape something — that's what whittling means.
Visually Confused Words
whistle
whirtle
while
whistler
thwittle
hittable