razor
REY-zer
/ˈreɪzər/
A sharp instrument used for shaving hair close to the skin.
Can refer to a traditional straight razor (a single folding blade), a safety razor, or a modern multi-blade cartridge razor.
The story behind the word. Razor comes from the Old French 'rasor', which derives from 'raser' (to scrape or shave). This traces back to the Vulgar Latin 'rasare', a frequentative verb of Latin 'radere' (to scrape).
Word relationships
- blade: Blade is a general term for the sharp cutting edge of any tool, whereas a razor is specifically designed for shaving skin.
Commonly confused with
- clipper: Clippers cut hair using two moving metal combs, while a razor uses a single, exposed sharp edge to slice hair at the skin level.
Word family
- razored (adjective): Cut or shaved with a razor.
- razoring (verb): The act of shaving or cutting hair with a razor.
Collocations
- straight razor
- safety razor
- razor sharp
- razor blade
Idioms & expressions
- on a razor's edge
- razor sharp
Example sentences
- "He preferred the absolute closeness of a traditional straight razor over modern plastic cartridges." A classic straight razor shave
- "The cold wind was razor sharp, cutting through his thin woolen coat." A metaphor for extreme sharpness
Memory hook
Razor sounds like 'raise.' You raise the razor to your face to scrape away the hair. Raise the blade to shave.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to electric clippers or trimmers, which cut hair near the skin but do not scrape the skin directly.
Fun facts
- Before the invention of safety razors in the late 19th century, straight razors were often called 'cut-throat razors' for obvious, dangerous reasons.
Related words
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