Basic Details
Word: Whittle
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To cut small pieces from something, especially wood, using a knife.
Synonyms: Carve, shave, trim
Antonyms: Add, increase, build
Idioms and Phrases
- Whittle down: To reduce the amount or number of something gradually. Example: "The team will whittle down the choices to find the best candidate."
- Whittle away: To spend time or effort on something unimportant. Example: "He likes to whittle away his afternoons in the park, enjoying nature."
Usage Examples
Example 1: During the camp, the children learned how to whittle sticks to make their own walking canes.
Example 2: She sat by the fire and began to whittle a small figure out of a piece of wood.
Example 3: The artist spent hours whittling away at the block of wood until it transformed into a beautiful sculpture.
Fun Fact
Did you know that whittling is not only a way to create art but also can help improve hand-eye coordination and focus? Many people find whittling to be a relaxing hobby!
Famous Quote
"Even a small piece of wood, if whittled with care, can become something beautiful." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "whittle" mean?
a) To add to something
b) To cook food
c) To cut small pieces from something
d) To write a story
Answer: c) To cut small pieces from something
2. Which of these is a synonym of "whittle"?
a) Add
b) Carve
c) Build
d) Increase
Answer: b) Carve
3. Which of these is an antonym of "whittle"?
a) Trim
b) Shave
c) Increase
d) Carve
Answer: c) Increase
4. Which sentence uses "whittle" correctly?
a) He will whittle the cake for the party.
b) She likes to whittle wood into new shapes.
c) They whittled the homework over the weekend.
d) The cat whittled on the floor.
Answer: b) She likes to whittle wood into new shapes.
5. What does the idiom "whittle down" mean?
a) To add more options
b) To reduce the amount or number of something
c) To put things together
d) To create something new
Answer: b) To reduce the amount or number of something
