Whittle

/ˈhwɪt.əl/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To carve or shape (something) into a desired form by cutting away material, typically wood.

He spent the afternoon whittling a small figure out of a block of wood.

To reduce something in size, amount, or degree gradually.

The company started to whittle down its workforce due to budget constraints.

To wear down or erode gradually.

Over time, the constant rain and wind whittle the rocks into smooth pebbles.

Origin unknown, possibly from Middle English 'whittlen', related to 'whittle' meaning to cut or carve.

whittle away

To gradually reduce or diminish something.

whittle down

To reduce the size or number of something gradually.

carving

The action of shaping material into a desirable form.

knife

A tool used for cutting or carving.

To waste time in a non-productive manner.

They were just whittling away the hours instead of working.