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
-
a sharp implement used esp by men for shaving the face
-
in an acute dilemma
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
During the brief return, Jose Luis watered the plants and grabbed his electric razor.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
Aiello has monitored GPS-collared sheep — less than 10% of the population — to see how they’d respond to the razor wire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
In his tactical assessment and his mood-setting, Tuipulotu was razor sharp.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
Samary arrived just ahead of Gomina, his loyalist commander, at QRF headquarters, a base fortified by guard towers and razor wire.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026
“You’re not kind,” she said, watching him rinse his razor.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
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
The corporation also filed for trademark protection in more than 20 product categories, including milk, coffee, soup, pasta, and water, as well as household products such as razors and cleaners.
From Salon ● Apr. 16, 2024
It was as if a hundred razors were inside my skull, clattering and rattling around.
From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
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.
