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Synonyms

paring

American  
[pair-ing] / ˈpɛər ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of a person or thing that pares.

  2. a piece or part pared off.

    apple parings.
paring British  
/ ˈpɛərɪŋ /

noun

  1. (often plural) something pared or cut off

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of paring

1350–1400; Middle English (gerund); pare, -ing 1

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.

Tesla’s stock was up as much as 8% on Wednesday before slightly paring gains.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Airports across the region are starved for jet fuel with no quick fix in sight, and some airlines are already paring back flights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

However, all three coal stocks declined Monday, along with Peabody Energy, paring Iran war gains.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

AeroVironment’s stock is up 72% over the last 12 months, despite paring some gains after a major contract was reopened.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Rachel stiffened in her arms, but Mrs. Bedlow dropped her paring knife into the bowl of peeled potatoes, wiped her hands on her apron, and put a kettle on to boil.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson

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.