whetstone
Americannoun
-
a stone for sharpening cutlery or tools by friction.
-
anything that sharpens.
a whetstone for dull wits.
noun
-
a stone used for sharpening edged tools, knives, etc
-
something that sharpens
Etymology
Origin of whetstone
before 900; Middle English whetston, Old English hwetstān. See whet, stone
Vocabulary lists containing whetstone
"The Tragedy of Macbeth," Vocabulary from Act 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Game of Thrones
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
Martin’s “A Game of Thrones” series, said, “A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2025
Cordelia’s signature quirk keeps the tone featherlight while doubling as a whetstone; she constantly reminds us that training our focus on the tiniest details about elusive creatures unlocks puzzles.
From Salon • Mar. 20, 2025
Whatever knife you choose, buy a honing rod, sharpening steel or whetstone.
From Washington Times • Jun. 9, 2023
Over the past two million years huge sheets of ice ground the landscape of central Illinois to a whetstone flatness.
From Scientific American • Feb. 13, 2023
Til get you a whetstone and oil for it if you make it through this.”
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
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.
