# shave

/ˈʃeɪv/ (US) · /ʃˈeɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shave
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to remove hair

verb · CEFR A2

to cut hair off your face or body very close to the skin using a razor or electric tool.

For teachers: to remove hair from the body by cutting it close to the skin with a razor or clippers. Often used intransitively when referring to the face.

- He decided to shave his beard before the job interview.
- After years of sporting a full beard, he decided to shave completely, revealing a much younger-looking face to his surprised family.

### 2. to cut thin slices

verb · CEFR B2

to cut very thin pieces off the surface of something, like wood or food.

For teachers: to remove thin slices or layers from the surface of a material, typically using a sharp blade.

- The chef used a sharp knife to shave thin pieces of parmesan over the pasta.
- The carpenter had to shave a few millimetres off the bottom of the door to ensure it would close smoothly over the new carpet.

### 3. to reduce slightly

verb · CEFR B2

to reduce a total amount, price, or time by a small margin.

For teachers: to reduce a value, cost, or duration by a small increment. Often used in the context of competitive sports or financial budgeting.

- The runner managed to shave two seconds off her personal best time.
- By switching to a more efficient supplier, the company was able to shave five percent off its annual production costs.

### 4. act of cutting hair

noun · CEFR A2

the act of cutting hair off the skin.

For teachers: the act or process of removing hair with a razor.

- He went to the barber for a professional shave and a haircut.
- A hot towel before a shave helps to soften the hair and prevent skin irritation.

### 5. a narrow escape

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a situation where you only just avoid an accident or a problem.

For teachers: a narrow miss or a situation where disaster was barely averted. Almost exclusively used in the idiom 'a close shave'.

- That car nearly hit us—it was a very close shave.
- The pilot admitted it had been a close shave when the engine sputtered just as the aircraft cleared the mountain ridge.

## Examples

- He needs to shave before the wedding.
- I usually shave my legs in the shower because it is much faster and easier.
- The swimmer decided to shave his entire body to reduce water resistance and improve his performance in the upcoming championship race.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.