pare
verb (used with object)
to cut off the outer coating, layer, or part of.
pare
1 American
[pair]
/ pɛər /
verb (used with object)
pared,
paring
-
to cut off the outer coating, layer, or part of.
-
to remove (an outer coating, layer, or part) by cutting (often followed by off oraway ).
-
to reduce or remove by or as by cutting; diminish or decrease gradually (often followed bydown ).
to pare down one's expenses.
- Antonyms:
- increase
Paré
2
American
[pa -rey]
/ paˈreɪ /
noun
pare
1
British
/ pɛə /
verb
-
to peel or cut (the outer layer) from (something)
-
to cut the edges from (the nails); trim
-
to decrease bit by bit
Paré
2
British
/ pare /
noun
Related Words
See peel 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pare
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English paren, from Middle French parer, “to make ready, trim” from Latin parāre ”to prepare, make ready“; see origin at prepare
Explanation
To pare is to trim — like when you pare branches on a tree or pare down your expenses to save money. Pare comes from the Latin word parare, meaning "to prepare." Think of peeling potatoes, which you might do with a paring knife, or paring your nails so you'll make a neat appearance. In each case, you are trimming something gradually. If you pare down your expectations, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Vocabulary lists containing pare
"The Railway Train" by Emily Dickinson
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Twelfth Night
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Our Town
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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.
Surging U.S. seaborne oil exports and China’s willingness to pare back on its own seaborne imports have also helped shield the world from higher prices.
From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026
President Vladimir Putin will have been reluctant to pare back a parade that is always choreographed to portray Russian strength.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
Many see dealmaking as a path to boost growth or pare expenses.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
As major automakers pare back their EV offerings, Sony and Honda are scrapping their plans to launch a gadget-packed electric vehicle.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
All the f’s are fractions, having values between 0 and 1; they will pare down the large value of N.. To derive N we must estimate each of these quantities.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
