pare

/peə/
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pare

She uses a small knife to pare a green apple.

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.
pare

She uses a small knife to pare a green apple.

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

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