razor

American  

[rey-zer] / ˈreɪ zər /

noun

• razors
  plural

1. a sharp-edged instrument used especially for shaving the face or trimming the hair.

2. an electrically powered instrument used for the same purpose.

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verb (used with object)

1. to shave, cut, or remove with or as if with a razor.

idioms

1. on the razor's edge, in a difficult or precarious position.

razor British  

/ ˈreɪzə /

noun

1. a sharp implement used esp by men for shaving the face

2. in an acute dilemma

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verb

1. (tr) to cut or shave with a razor

razor More Idioms  

1. see sharp as a tack (razor).

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• razorless
  adjective
• unrazored
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• razors
  plural

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

See Examples For:

razor razors

Would it be cynical to suspect that there is a business model here, similar to the classic example of a razor brand that makes all its money on blade refills?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

"I borrowed a razor blade to cut the placenta," she told AFP.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

The body may be slower but the brain remains razor sharp.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

Instead of the protective fortification of concrete barriers and razor wire, the National Mall is marked by a sprawling, deliberate openness.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

There was a razor with a few stray hairs in it.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart

But while the different razors are often manufactured in the same factory, different technology, parts and production lines are used, according to Edgewell CEO Rod Little.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

Procter & Gamble declined 1.4% after the owner of brands such as Gilette razors and Crest toothpaste posted softer-than-expected revenue for its fiscal second quarter.

From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026

Research has shown, however, that it can also spread through indirect contact such as shared toothbrushes and razors.

From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2025

Jeff Raider started Harry’s in 2013 after co-founder Andy Katz-Mayfield got ripped off shopping for razors at the drugstore.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 27, 2025

Adina loaded the catapult with eyelash curlers, safety razors, and straightening irons.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

• blade
• knife
• shaver