ax

IPA/æks/
KK[ˈæks]IPA/æks/

ax — noun

  • axsingular
  • axesplural

1. a chopping tool with a long handle and a broad sharp blade for cutting wood.

1.nounB1
Definition

a chopping tool with a long handle and a broad sharp blade for cutting wood.

Example

Asher kept the ax beside the shed for splitting winter firewood.

collocation: split firewood with an ax

After the storm, Paloma borrowed an ax to clear the fallen branch.

Common collocations
  • swing an ax
  • split wood with an ax
  • ax handle
  • ax blade
Synonyms
  • hatchet

    a smaller ax, often light enough to use with one hand

  • maul

    heavier and mainly used for splitting logs rather than general chopping

  • adze

    has the blade set differently and is mainly used for shaping wood

Grammar Patterns

use an ax to + verb

swing an ax

split wood with an ax

Usage Note

This is the usual American spelling; British English more often writes axe. People often mention the handle or blade when talking about safe use because an ax is swung with force.

Common Mistakes

I need an ax to slice these carrots.
I need a knife to slice these carrots.
an ax is for heavy cutting such as wood, not normal food preparation.

2. the loss of a job, service, plan, or budget when someone decides to cut it sudde

2.nounB2
Definition

the loss of a job, service, plan, or budget when someone decides to cut it suddenly.

Example

After sales fell again, warehouse staff feared the ax.

fixed phrase: fear the ax

The council youth program escaped the ax after parents protested.

Common collocations
  • face the ax
  • get the ax
  • escape the ax
  • fear the ax
Synonyms
  • dismissal

    fits the job-loss meaning, but not cuts to plans or budgets

  • cut

    broader and more neutral; it can refer to money, services, or staff

  • cancellation

    fits plans or events that are stopped, not people losing jobs

Antonyms
  • retention

    keeping staff or services instead of removing them

Grammar Patterns

face the ax

get the ax

escape the ax

Usage Note

Usually appears in the phrases face the ax, get the ax, or escape the ax. With people it means losing jobs; with projects or services it means they are stopped or sharply cut.

Common Mistakes

The company gave him ax last week.
The company gave him the ax last week.
this meaning is normally used with the fixed phrase 'the ax'.

3. in informal speech, a guitar or saxophone, especially one a musician regularly p

3.nounC1
Definition

in informal speech, a guitar or saxophone, especially one a musician regularly plays.

Example

Before the encore, Tariq grabbed his ax and ran back onstage.

informal musician slang: grab your ax

The drummer asked Dahlia to bring her ax to rehearsal tonight.

Common collocations
  • grab your ax
  • bring an ax to rehearsal
  • play ax onstage
  • jazz ax
Synonyms
  • guitar

    the most common specific instrument meant by this slang

  • sax

    fits the saxophone use of the slang, especially in jazz talk

  • instrument

    far broader and not slang

Grammar Patterns

grab your ax

play ax

bring an ax to rehearsal

Usage Note

This is musician slang and sounds casual rather than general. It is especially common for electric guitars, but some speakers also use it for a saxophone.

Common Mistakes

I packed my ax for the office meeting.
I packed my guitar for the office party.
this slang is mainly for instruments in music settings.

ax — verb

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Ax is the usual American spelling for the long-handled tool used to chop wood or bring down a tree. Axe is the standard British spelling of the same word, so the difference is spelling rather than meaning. Hatchet usually suggests a smaller version that one person can control with one hand, which makes it natural for camping or small repair jobs. A maul is heavier and built mainly for splitting logs, not for ordinary trimming. A machete is different again: it has a long, thin blade and is better for cutting through plants than striking deep into a trunk. If someone is swinging at firewood or a tree, ax is the normal American choice.

axe ↗hatchet ↗maul ↗machete ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Ax is the usual American spelling of axe. The word goes back to Old English forms such as æx and æcs, and related older words in other European languages point to the same core idea of a sharp chopping tool.