carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

transitive verb

1

: to cut with care or precision

carved fretwork

2

: to make or get by or as if by cutting

—often used with out

carve out a career

3

: to cut into pieces or slices

carved the turkey

intransitive verb

1

: to cut up and serve meat

2

: to work as a sculptor or engraver

carver noun

Synonyms

• sculpt
• sculpture

Examples of carve in a Sentence

We carved an ice sculpture.

Who is going to carve the turkey?

He carved while I made the gravy.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the other hand, Prather, founder of The Original Article, carved his niche in Long Beach, focusing on turning creative ideas into profitable products with a clear vision and collaborative approach. —Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

Interestingly, Auriga Spa has also carved out a niche with travelers making their way through Singapore's Changi Airport, a major global transit hub. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Over the last several years, Kota The Friend has been busy intentionally carving out a very normal life compared to other rappers. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 13 Apr. 2025

The president now carving out exemptions on electronics. —ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English kerven, from Old English ceorfan; akin to Old High German kerban to notch, Greek graphein to scratch, write

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing carve

• carve up

Rhymes for carve

• starve

Kids Definition

carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

1

: to cut with care or exactness

2

: to cut into pieces or slices

3

: to cut up and serve meat

carver noun