razor
Americannoun
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a sharp-edged instrument used especially for shaving the face or trimming the hair.
-
an electrically powered instrument used for the same purpose.
verb (used with object)
idioms
noun
-
a sharp implement used esp by men for shaving the face
-
in an acute dilemma
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of razor
1250–1300; Middle English rasour < Old French rasor, equivalent to ras ( er ) to raze + -or -or 2
Explanation
If you need to shave, you'll want to use a razor. It's a tool that's made for removing unwanted hair. There are straight razors (the old-fashioned kind that barbers sometimes use), safety razors for shaving faces and legs, and electric razors that use spinning blades to trim beards or shave heads. A hair stylist also might use razor as a verb: "Let me just razor the ends and we'll be done!" Razor comes from the Old French raser, "to scrape."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Amazon aggregators like SellerX and Razor and home-repair company Renovo Home Partners were among the borrowers in default.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026
Razor sharp and rhythmically complex, it's both a poison pen letter to his detractors, and a love letter to Los Angeles' hip-hop culture.
From BBC • Dec. 21, 2024
Razor clams are one of Dungeness crabs’ favorite meals.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023
In a May 10 sponsored Instagram post for Bic razors, Madix wrote, “finally breaking my silence about what’s been clogging up my life lately…” in promotion of the company’s EasyRinse Razor.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2023
They refer to him as Navajita, little Razor Blade.
From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
