axe
æks
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of axe - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

tr.
1.
cuttingchop using a heavy bladed tool
  • He axed the tree down in minutes.
chop cleave hew
2.
terminationend or reduce something suddenly
  • The company axed 200 jobs last week.
cease cut terminate

Noun

1.
cutting tooltool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
  • He chopped the firewood with a sharp axe..
chopper cleaver hatchet
2.
businessUKdrastic reduction or cutbackUK
  • The project faced the axe due to budget cuts.
cutback retrenchment
3.
employmentUKdismissal or rejection, often from a jobUK
  • She got the axe after the company downsized.
firing layoff termination
Add a suggestion |

Images of axe

  • axe: tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
    tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
  • axe: ancient weapon with a bladed head and handle
    ancient weapon with a bladed head and handle

Expressions with axe

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
personal motivation or selfish reason for saying or doing something
He has an axe to grind with the committee after being overlooked last year..
be at risk of being fired
Many employees may face the axe due to budget cuts.
be dismissed from a job
After the budget cuts, many employees got the axe.
fire someone from their job
The manager decided to give the axe to three employees.
drastically reduce or eliminate something
The company had to take an axe to its budget.
at the moment a big or bad event happens
We will see who stays when the axe falls.

Origin of axe

Old English, æx (cutting tool)

Terms with axe included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
severing
sever with an axe or similar tool
work
blow with an axe or similar tool
tool
small axe with a short handle
Native American axe
small axe used by Native Americans
hewv.
tools
cut or chop with an axe or other tool
weapon
fighting axe used by North American Indians
saxn.
hand blade
tool like a small axe for cutting slate
cutting
strike or split using a small throwing axe

Examples of axe in a sentence

  • They axed the old shed for renovation.
  • The TV show was axed after just one season.
  • Due to budget cuts, the project was axed immediately.
  • The lumberjack's axe was well-worn from years of use.
  • She bought a new axe for the camping trip.
  • The company announced the axe of 200 jobs.

View all translations of axe

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:abattre, hache, ...
  2. German:fällen, Axt, ...
  3. Italian:abbattere, accetta, ...
  4. Spanish:talar, hacha, ...
  5. Portuguese:cortar, machado, ...
  6. Chinese:砍, 斧头, ...
  7. Japanese:斧で切る, 斧, ...
  8. Arabic:قطع بالفأس, فَأْس, ...
  9. Hebrew:לִכְרוֹת, גַּרְזֶן, ...
  10. Russian:рубить, топор, ...
  11. Ukrainian:рубати, сокира, ...
  12. Hindi:कुल्हाड़ी से काटना, कुल्हाड़ी, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “a”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery