hatchet-faced

hatchet-faced

A stern, hatchet-faced man stood at the edge of the field.

Definition

Adjective - Having a sharp, angular, or thin face: "hatchet-faced" describes a person whose facial features are narrow, prominent, and angular, resembling the shape of a hatchet (a small axe with a sharp blade).

Usage Examples
  • (He had a thin, angular face that looked severe.)
  • (Her facial structure was narrow and sharp.)
  • (Her angular face gave her a harsh appearance.)
Advanced Usage
  • "hatchet-faced" as a literary descriptor: Often used in fiction to create a vivid, unflattering image of a character, implying a cold or intimidating personality.
    • The hatchet-faced villain in the novel was instantly recognizable by his gaunt features. (The character's sharp face contributed to a menacing portrayal.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Hatchet (n): a small axe with a short handle.
    • He used a hatchet to chop wood for the fire. (A tool with a sharp blade.)
  • Hatchet-faced (adj): the standard form; no other common variants exist.
Synonyms
  • Sharp-featured: having distinct, angular facial features.
    • Her sharp-featured face was memorable in the crowd. (Similar to hatchet-faced but less harsh.)
  • Gaunt: extremely thin, often due to hunger or illness.
    • The gaunt man looked exhausted after the long journey. (Thin-faced, but not necessarily angular.)
  • Angular: having prominent bones and sharp lines.
    • His angular jaw gave him a determined look. (Describes facial structure without the negative connotation.)
Related Idioms
  • A hatchet job: a critical or destructive attack, often verbal or written.
    • The newspaper article was a hatchet job on the politician's reputation. (A harsh, unfair critique.)
  • Bury the hatchet: to make peace or end a conflict.
    • After years of arguing, the two brothers decided to bury the hatchet. (To stop fighting and reconcile.)
Usage Notes
  • Tone: "Hatchet-faced" is generally negative or neutral in descriptive contexts, often implying a stern, unkind, or unattractive appearance. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in literature or descriptive writing.
  • Collocation: Often paired with nouns like "man," "woman," "face," or "expression."