razor
Americannoun
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a sharp-edged instrument used especially for shaving the face or trimming the hair.
-
an electrically powered instrument used for the same purpose.
verb (used with object)
idioms
noun
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a sharp implement used esp by men for shaving the face
-
in an acute dilemma
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of razor
1250–1300; Middle English rasour < Old French rasor, equivalent to ras ( er ) to raze + -or -or 2
Explanation
If you need to shave, you'll want to use a razor. It's a tool that's made for removing unwanted hair. There are straight razors (the old-fashioned kind that barbers sometimes use), safety razors for shaving faces and legs, and electric razors that use spinning blades to trim beards or shave heads. A hair stylist also might use razor as a verb: "Let me just razor the ends and we'll be done!" Razor comes from the Old French raser, "to scrape."
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.
Amazon aggregators like SellerX and Razor and home-repair company Renovo Home Partners were among the borrowers in default.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026
As Mason continues speaking, images of Halyna Hutchins fill the screen — messing around on a Razor scooter, hiking with her family, riding horseback on the set of “Rust,” playing on the beach.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2025
The "adrenaline-pumping night like no other" will see Louis "The Razor" Robinson go up against Dom "The Juggernaut" Sorby.
From BBC • Sep. 18, 2024
I do it with a Tweezerman Facial Razor and my skin feels so soft after.
From New York Times • May 9, 2024
The rat Razor dropped his eyes away from Ripred’s.
From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins
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.
