Word
shavings
Phoneticsshav·ings, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃeɪvɪŋz/
UK/ʃˈeɪvɪŋz/
Plural noun
Definition
n. thin pieces of wood or metal that come off when you cut or shape something. You often see them on the floor after woodwork.
n. thin curled strips removed from a surface by planing, shaving, or whittling, typically of wood or metal. Usually encountered as loose material used for packing, bedding, or kindling.
Examples
“Wood shavings cover the floor of his workshop.”
“The carpenter sweeps the pine shavings into a bag to use as bedding for the rabbits.”
“Fine metal shavings cling to the magnet after milling, revealing how much material the cutting tool removes with each pass.”
Examples
simple
“Wood shavings cover the floor of his workshop.”
contextual
“The carpenter sweeps the pine shavings into a bag to use as bedding for the rabbits.”
complex
“Fine metal shavings cling to the magnet after milling, revealing how much material the cutting tool removes with each pass.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “shavings” in context.
Verb
01. collect shavings
“He collected the shavings to use for the hamster's cage.”
verb + noun
02. produce shavings
“Sharpening the pencil produced long wooden shavings.”
verb + noun
03. scatter shavings
“Don't scatter shavings all over the clean floor.”
verb + noun
04. shavings cover
“Shavings covered every surface after a day of planing.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. curly shavings
“Curly shavings covered the floor after he planed the door.”
adj + noun
06. fine shavings
“The carpenter brushed fine shavings off his workbench.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. chocolate shavings
“The cake was decorated with dark chocolate shavings.”
noun + noun
08. handful of shavings
“He grabbed a handful of shavings to light the fire.”
noun + prep + noun
09. pile of shavings
“A pile of shavings lay under the workbench.”
noun + prep + noun
10. bedded on wood shavings
“The horses were bedded on clean wood shavings.”
11. floor covered in shavings
“After the lesson, the floor was covered in shavings.”
12. leave a trail of shavings
“The planer leaves a trail of shavings behind it.”
Real-World Examples
“Now imagine taking that same 2×4 and carving it into thousands of toothpick-sized shavings.” “Farmers were advised to spread sawdust or wood shavings over carcasses to absorb liquids.” “Barnett said he once saw discarded metal shavings near wiring for the flight controls that could have cut wiring and caused a catastrophe.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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