pare

¹

[pair]

verb (used with object)

pared, paring 

1. to cut off the outer coating, layer, or part of.

2. to remove (an outer coating, layer, or part) by cutting (often followed by off oraway ).

3. to reduce or remove by or as by cutting; diminish or decrease gradually (often followed bydown ).

   to pare down one's expenses.

   Synonyms: lessen, shave, clip
   Antonyms: increase

Paré

²

[pa-rey]

noun

1. Ambroise 1510–90, French surgeon.

pare

¹

/ pɛə /

verb

1. to peel or cut (the outer layer) from (something)

2. to cut the edges from (the nails); trim

3. to decrease bit by bit

Paré

²

/ pare /

noun

1. Ambroise (ɑ̃brwaz). 1510–90, French surgeon. He reintroduced ligature of arteries following amputation instead of cauterization

Other Word Forms

• pareable adjective
• unpared adjective
• parer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pare¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English paren, from Middle French parer, “to make ready, trim” from Latin parāre ”to prepare, make ready“; prepare

Word History and Origins

Origin of pare¹

C13: from Old French parer to adorn, from Latin parāre to make ready

Synonym Study

See peel ¹.

Example Sentences

Rogers said the U.S. and U.K. are taking steps to pare back financial-sector regulations.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

His creations are vibrantly modern, with each figure pared to its most basic elements.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

She pared her weekly restaurant excursions to once or twice a month.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Oracle shares, which have surged this year as the company announced huge new contracts, fell as much as 7.1% before paring losses and ending the day down 2.5%.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

That is a big change from recent years, when low deal volume led banks to pare back the staff they had raced to hire in the 2021 boom.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cut back 
• cut down 
• decrease 
• lower 
• mark down 
• prune 
• reduce 
• scrape 
• shave 
• slash