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• pare
  pare

  verb (used with object)

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

  noun

  Ambroise 1510–90, French surgeon.

pare

¹ American  

[pair] / pɛər /

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

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Paré ² American  

[pa-rey] / paˈreɪ /

noun

1. Ambroise 1510–90, French surgeon.

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pare ¹ British  

/ 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

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Paré ² British  

/ pare /

noun

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

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Related Words

See peel ¹.

Other Word Forms

• pareable
  adjective
• parer
  noun
• unpared
  adjective

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.

Example Sentences

A few blocks away from me is the Residència Pare Batllori, an elder home.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2024

Pare down the sugar as much as you like or use an alternative sweetener of your choosing.

From Salon • Aug. 31, 2023

Still, the uncertainty created risks in Africa, said Burkina Faso political analyst Ousmane Pare.

From Reuters • Aug. 24, 2023

His girlfriend Gabriela Pare, who lives in the US, was alerted to his disappearance by friends who found his jacket and mobile phone at the scene of the tragedy.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2022

Pare off the rind of the pine apples, cut them in slices an inch thick.

From The New England Cook Book, or Young Housekeeper's Guide Being a Collection of the Most Valuable Receipts; Embracing all the Various Branches of Cookery, and Written in a Minute and Methodical Manner by Anonymous

Related Words

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