Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a clean and distinct outline as if precisely cut along the edges: Used to describe a physical form, especially facial features or a physique, that appears sharply defined, angular, and well-sculpted, as if carved with a chisel.
   • Well-defined and aesthetically pleasing due to sharp contours: Often implies a combination of clarity, precision, and attractiveness in shape.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The statue had a chiseled jawline that gave it a powerful appearance.
  • After years of training, he developed a chiseled physique with clearly defined muscles.
  • Her chiseled features were often remarked upon by portrait artists.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical Use: While primarily physical, "chiseled" can be used metaphorically to describe something with great precision and clarity, though this is less common.
  • The author's prose was chiseled, every word perfectly placed.
• "Chiseled in stone": An idiom meaning something is fixed, permanent, or unchangeable. (Note: This is an idiom containing the target word, not a direct use of "chiseled" alone).
  • The plan isn't chiseled in stone; we can still make adjustments.

Variants and Related Words

• Chisel (verb): To cut or shape wood, stone, or metal with a chisel. This is the root verb from which the adjective is derived.
  • The artisan chiseled the marble block into a beautiful figure.
• Chiseler (noun): A person who chisels; also an informal term for a swindler or cheat.
• Chiseledness (noun): The quality of being chiseled (rarely used).

Synonyms

• Sculpted: Shaped as if by a sculptor.
• Defined: Having a clear outline or form.
• Angular: Having sharp angles or corners.
• Craggy: Roughly uneven and rugged, often used for faces.

Antonyms

• Soft: Lacking sharp definition; rounded.
• Rounded: Curved and smooth, not angular.
• Blurry: Lacking clear outlines.
• Amorphous: Without a clearly defined shape or form.

Notes on Usage

• The adjective "chiseled" is almost exclusively used to describe the appearance of living things (people, animals) or artistic representations of them (statues, drawings). It is not typically used for inanimate natural objects like mountains.
• It carries a strong connotation of aesthetic appeal, strength, and precision. It is a complimentary term.

Adjective

1. having a clean and distinct outline as if precisely cut along the edges
   • a finely chiseled nose
   • well-defined features