whittle

/ˈwɪtl/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɪtəl] /ˈwɪtl/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɪtəl] /ˈ(h)wi-tᵊl How to pronounce whittle (audio)/ (ame, mw)

whittle — verb

  • whittlepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • whittleshe / she / it
  • whittledpast simple
  • whittling-ing form

1. to shape or make something from wood by slicing away many tiny pieces with a kni

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to shape or make something from wood by slicing away many tiny pieces with a knife.

例句

Vinicius whittled a small spoon from a branch beside the lake.

whittle + object + from + wood source

Hui whittled the walking stick smooth before the mountain trip.

whittle + object + smooth for shaping wood

同義詞
  • carve

    broader word for shaping material; can use larger tools and more formal artistic work

  • pare

    focuses on shaving off a thin outer layer rather than making a new wooden object

  • shave

    emphasizes removing very thin strips; less tied to making a finished object

文法句型

whittle + object

whittle + object + from + [wood]

whittle + object + smooth

用法筆記

Object is usually a simple thing made from wood, and the material is often named with from. Distinguish from carve: whittle suggests a small knife and many light cuts rather than larger tools or formal sculpture.

常見錯誤

❌She whittled the cake into six pieces.
✅She cut the cake into six pieces.
💡'whittle' is used for shaping wood with a knife, not for ordinary cutting.

whittle — noun