axe

noun
UK: /æks/
US: /æks/

  1. A tool used for chopping wood, typically consisting of a metal blade attached to a long handle.

    1. He used an axe to chop the wood for the fire. [ ] [ ]
    2. The firefighter used the axe to break down the damaged door quickly. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

hatchet chop cut fire sack terminate
axe transitive-verb

  1. To reduce something by a large amount, such as spending or jobs.

    1. The company will axe 200 jobs next month. [ ] [ ]
    2. Due to budget cuts, the library had to axe several important programs. [ ] [ ]

  2. To terminate someone's employment; to fire.

    1. He got the axe after failing to meet his sales quota. [ ] [ ]
    2. The manager decided to axe the employee after repeated warnings about performance. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "axe" is /æks/ in British English and /æks/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "axe": hatchet, chop, cut, fire, sack, terminate.

Example usage of "axe": "He used an axe to chop the wood for the fire.". More examples on the page.