graver

American

[grey-ver] / ˈgreɪ vər /

noun

any of various tools for chasing, engraving, etc., as a burin.
an engraver.

graver British

/ ˈɡreɪvə /

noun

any of various engraving, chasing, or sculpting tools, such as a burin

"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 graver

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at grave ³, -er 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.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said on Friday she was "sickened" by the case, adding: "The crime could hardly be graver, yet the punishment was no punishment at all."

From BBC • May 24, 2026

So far, the war in Iran has put them in even graver danger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Still, Lee figures that his suit against Yoon has at least a marginally higher chance of success, given the far graver offense at hand.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2025

Al Wilson, a Pennsylvania-based graver and local historian in his city, is interested in the documentation aspect of Find a Grave.

From Slate • Oct. 24, 2024

“Don’t you dare speak to Draco like—” said Narcissa furiously, but Bellatrix screamed, “Be quiet! The situation is graver than you can possibly imagine, Cissy! We have a very serious problem!”

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023