Meaning & use
chiseled
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounapproving
Having a sharp, well-defined shape, especially strong facial features or a muscular body that looks sculpted.
Grammar: Usually goes before a noun: a chiseled jaw.
The actor was known for his chiseled jaw.
She admired the runner's chiseled legs.
His chiseled features suited the role of a soldier.
adjectivebefore a noun
Cut or carved with a chisel into stone, wood or metal.
Grammar: Goes before a noun: chiseled letters.
The chiseled inscription was worn smooth by time.
Chiseled stone steps led up to the temple.
The names were chiseled into the memorial wall.
Common combinations
- chiseled jaw
- The hero had a chiseled jaw and short hair.
- chiseled features
- Her chiseled features made her a sought-after model.
- chiseled abs
- The ad showed a man with chiseled abs.
- chiseled cheekbones
- He had chiseled cheekbones and bright eyes.
- chiseled in stone
- The motto was chiseled in stone above the door.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sculpted
- Sculpted is almost the same, but it can describe shapes made by any artistic process.
- strong-featured
- Strong-featured is plainer, describing a face with firm lines but not necessarily smooth and sharp.
- defined
- Defined is a general word for clear outlines, while chiseled suggests precision and strength.
- rugged
- Rugged suggests rough and weathered, while chiseled is cleaner and more polished.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: chiseled or chiselled?
chiseled vs chiselled
Chiselled is the British spelling of chiseled.
Practice
Which phrase is the most natural use of chiseled?
Choose one answer.
Chiseled is mostly used for sharp facial features such as a jawline. The others do not form natural collocations.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “chiseled”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.