bevel

[ bev-uhl ]

/ ˈbɛv əl /

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See synonyms for: bevel / beveled / beveling / bevelled on Thesaurus.com

noun

the inclination that one line or surface makes with another when not at right angles.

a surface that does not form a right angle with adjacent surfaces.Compare chamfer.

(of a lock bolt) the oblique end that hits the strike plate.

(of a lock with a beveled bolt) the side facing in the same direction as the bevel at the end of the bolt.Compare regular bevel, reverse bevel.

bevel square.

an adjustable instrument for drawing angles or adjusting the surface of work to a particular inclination.

Printing. beard (def. 5).

verb (used with or without object), bev·eled, bev·el·ing or (especially British) bev·elled, bev·el·ling.

to cut or slant at a bevel: to bevel an edge to prevent splintering.

adjective

Also beveled; especially British, bevelled. oblique; sloping; slanted.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bevel

First recorded in 1555–65; from unattested Middle French bevel (French béveau, biveau ), unattested Old French baivel, equivalent to baïf “with open mouth” (ba(er) “to gape” (see bay²) + -if adjective suffix) + -el, from Latin -ellus noun suffix; see -ive, -elle

OTHER WORDS FROM bevel

bev·el·er; especially British, bev·el·ler, nounun·bev·eled; especially British, un·bev·elled, adjectiveun·der·bev·el·ing; especially British, un·der·bev·el·ling, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bevel in a sentence

The mandibles are powerful, with bevelled tips and three or four teeth on the edge of the bevel.
More Hunting Wasps|J. Henri Fabre
The entire ground of the stamp is composed of fine vertical lines except the edges, which are so contrived as to appear bevelled.
History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America|John Kerr Tiffany
The heading joints of flooring are often specified to be splayed or bevelled, but it is far better to rebate them.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4|Various
"Well, I suppose it 'got in' through the bevelled edge of that glass thermometer in the window," he said wearily.
Pollyanna|Eleanor H. Porter

I found it on the mantelpiece in my boudoir under an open telegram which had been stuck into the edge of the bevelled glass.
The Woman Thou Gavest Me|Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for bevel

bevel

/ (ˈbɛvəl) /

noun

Also called: cant a surface that meets another at an angle other than a right angleCompare chamfer (def. 1)
(as modifier)a bevel edge; bevel square

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled

(intr) to be inclined; slope

(tr) to cut a bevel on (a piece of timber, etc)

Derived forms of bevel

bevelled or US beveled, adjectivebeveller or US beveler, noun

Word Origin for bevel

C16: from Old French bevel (unattested), from baïf, from baer to gape; see bay 1

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

bevel

Origin of bevel

OTHER WORDS FROM bevel

Words related to bevel

How to use bevel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bevel

Derived forms of bevel

Word Origin for bevel