pare
verb (used with object)
to cut off the outer coating, layer, or part of.
was paring
-
past progressiveof pare.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The stock was paring back those gains on Friday, sliding 4.1% to $28.58.
From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026
Rose, by contrast, was paring things down, and buying the very best ingredients.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 22, 2018
The term appeared in the 1910s, when the fad for facial hair was paring back to shaven cheeks.
From Slate ● Dec. 3, 2014
"Our biggest change was paring down the palette, capitalizing on the best of what was already there and introducing a limited array of complementary materials," Michael explains.
From Architectural Digest ● Nov. 4, 2014
Cilia was paring apples in that deft, absent-minded way she did such things.
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
