Definition

1. Verb:
   • To remove the outer layer or edge of something, typically using a knife or similar tool: This is the core meaning of "pare." It involves cutting away a thin layer, such as skin from fruit or vegetables, or trimming something to make it smaller or neater.
   • To reduce something, especially gradually or by small amounts: In a figurative sense, "pare" means to diminish or cut back on something, like expenses or a budget, bit by bit.

Usage Examples

• Literal meaning (removing an outer layer):
  • She carefully pared the apple with a sharp knife. (She removed the apple's skin.)
  • The chef pared the carrot into thin strips for the salad. (The chef cut the carrot into thin strips by shaving it.)
• Figurative meaning (reducing gradually):
  • The company had to pare its workforce to survive the economic downturn. (The company had to reduce its number of employees gradually.)
  • We need to pare down our monthly expenses. (We need to cut back on our monthly spending.)

Advanced Usage

• "to pare something away": to remove something gradually or in small pieces, often to improve the core.
  • The sculptor pared away the excess marble to reveal the figure within.
• "to pare something back": to reduce the size, amount, or extent of something.
  • The government announced plans to pare back its funding for the arts.
• "to pare something to the bone": to reduce something to the absolute minimum, leaving nothing extra.
  • After the crisis, the budget was pared to the bone.

Variants and Related Words

• Paring (noun): A thin piece that has been pared off.
  • He added the potato parings to the compost heap.
• Paring knife (noun): A small knife with a short blade, designed for peeling and trimming food.

Synonyms

• Trim: To make something neater or smaller by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts.
• Peel: To remove the outer covering from a fruit or vegetable.
• Whittle: To carve wood by repeatedly cutting small slices from it.
• Prune: To trim a tree or bush by cutting away dead or overgrown branches; can be used figuratively for cutting back.
• Reduce: To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pare down: To reduce the size or amount of something.
  • They are trying to pare down the report to just the essential points.
• Pare off: To remove a thin outer layer by cutting.
  • Pare off the lemon zest, being careful not to include the white pith.

Related Idioms

• Pare your nails: This is a common literal phrase meaning to trim your fingernails or toenails.
  • Remember to pare your nails before the interview.
• (To be) pared to the essentials: To be reduced to only the most necessary elements.
  • His writing style is very effective because it's pared to the essentials.

Verb

1. remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
   • pare one's fingernails
   • trim the photograph
   • trim lumber
2. strip the skin off
   • pare apples
3. cut small bits or pare shavings from
   • whittle a piece of wood
4. decrease gradually or bit by bit