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axe

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /æks/

axe means: A tool with a heavy metal blade and a handle, used to cut wood or trees.

noun

CUTTING TOOLB1

A tool with a heavy metal blade and a handle, used to cut wood or trees.

  • He cut the wood with an axe.
  • She sharpened the axe before chopping logs.
  • Keep your feet clear when you swing an axe.

Similar words: hatchet

Common phrases: sharp axe, axe handle, use an axe

DISMISSALC1

The ending of someone’s job or the rejection of someone or something.

  • Three workers got the axe.
  • The manager gave him the axe yesterday.
  • Her proposal received the axe at the meeting.

Similar words: dismissal, rejection

Common phrases: get the axe, give someone the axe

SEVERE CUTC1

A large, sudden reduction in money, services, or activities.

  • Local bus services face the axe.
  • The spending axe fell on arts funding.
  • Several railway routes came under the axe.

Similar words: cutback, cut

Common phrases: face the axe, under the axe

verb

CANCEL OR CUTB2

To suddenly end something or reduce it greatly.

  • They plan to axe the show.
  • The council axed funding for the project.
  • Will the company axe any more services?

Similar words: cut, cancel, scrap

Common phrases: axe a programme, axe spending, axe something completely

FIRE SOMEONEC1

To make someone leave their job, often suddenly.

  • The company axed thirty workers.
  • He was axed after the argument.
  • They may axe more staff next month.

Similar words: fire, dismiss, sack

Opposites: hire

Common phrases: axe someone from something, axe staff

CHOPC1

To cut wood or cut down a tree with a heavy bladed tool.

  • They axed the dead tree.
  • He axed the trunk into smaller pieces.
  • We had to axe several trees beside the road.

Similar words: chop, fell

Common phrases: axe a tree, axe the wood

Questions about axe

What does axe mean?

A tool with a heavy metal blade and a handle, used to cut wood or trees.

What is axe in other languages?

Türkçe: balta · Español: hacha · Français: hache · Deutsch: Axt · Italiano: ascia · 日本語: 斧

How do you pronounce axe?

It is pronounced /æks/.

How do you use axe in a sentence?

He cut the wood with an axe. She sharpened the axe before chopping logs.

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