razor

American  

[rey-zer] / ˈreɪ zər /

noun

1. a sharp-edged instrument used especially for shaving the face or trimming the hair.

2. an electrically powered instrument used for the same purpose.

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verb (used with object)

1. to shave, cut, or remove with or as if with a razor.

idioms

1. on the razor's edge, in a difficult or precarious position.

razor British  

/ ˈreɪzə /

noun

1. a sharp implement used esp by men for shaving the face

2. in an acute dilemma

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verb

1. (tr) to cut or shave with a razor

razor More Idioms  

1. see sharp as a tack (razor).

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Other Word Forms

• razorless adjective
• unrazored adjective

Etymology

Origin of razor

1250–1300; Middle English rasour < Old French rasor, equivalent to ras ( er ) to raze + -or -or ²

Example Sentences

It glitters from a distance: Where the 30-foot steel border fence ends, great spirals of razor wire extend up craggy mountain slopes on either side.

From Los Angeles Times

Occasionally a herd of hippocamps would come and swim alongside the boats, or a mermaid would approach a fisherman, playing a tune on a flute made from a razor clam.

From Literature

Yet the margin for error through that stretch, considering USC’s eight losses, is razor thin.

From Los Angeles Times

Americans’ monthlong exercises in restraint have been known to affect sales of everything from razors in November to alcohol at the beginning of the year and snacks as some take on a one-month sugar detox.

From The Wall Street Journal

But on Sunday living on a razor’s edge came back to bite Williams and the Bears.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blade
• knife
• shaver