Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

paring knife

American  
[pair-ing nahyf] / ˈpɛər ɪŋ ˌnaɪf /

noun

plural

paring knives
  1. a short-bladed kitchen knife for paring fruits and vegetables.


Etymology

Origin of paring knife

First recorded in 1585–95

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.

In this class, he covers the basics of forging a simple utility paring knife, including heating the grip, grinding and finishing the blade.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2025

Use a paring knife to peel fruits and vegetables, say, or devein shrimp.

From Washington Times • Jun. 9, 2023

Let the cake rest for about five minutes after removing it from the oven, then run a small paring knife around the edges.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2023

Using a paring knife, peel the oranges, and remove the pith to keep the cake from tasting bitter.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2022

She lifted her hands in the air to mimic splashing water, still holding the paring knife in one of them.

From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly