# shavings

/ˈʃeɪvɪŋz/ (US) · /ʃˈeɪvɪŋz/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shavings
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

thin pieces of wood or metal that come off when you cut or shape something. You often see them on the floor after woodwork.

For teachers: 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.

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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.