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shaven

B1
verbadjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ʃˈeɪvən/

US

  • /ˈʃeɪvən/

Description

To be shaven means to have had the hair removed with a razor or a similar tool, so the skin looks smooth. It is most often used for a face, head, or another part of the body after grooming. You might picture a man arriving clean-shaven for an important meeting, or someone with a freshly shaven head after a haircut. The word often suggests neatness and care, but in some stories it can also suggest exposure, loss, or a change forced on someone.

Examples

  1. 1

    Workplace appearance

    He usually keeps his face clean-shaven for work.

    • Meaning

      clean-shaven

      with no beard or moustache

  2. 2

    Film role

    For the movie, her head was completely shaven.

  3. 3

    Skin irritation

    His neck was still red from being closely shaven that morning.

  4. 4

    Medical preparation

    The area around the wound had to be shaven before the operation.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • shavenverbadjective