chiseled

[ chiz-uhld ]

adjective

1. cut, shaped, etc., with a chisel:

   chiseled stone.

2. sharply or clearly shaped; clear-cut:

   She has finely chiseled features.

Other Words From

• un·chiseled adjective
• un·chiselled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiseled¹

First recorded in 1730–40; chisel + -ed ²

Example Sentences

With his index finger firmly pressed against his chiseled jawline, he’s trying to determine exactly how many times he’s shirtless in “The Merry Gentlemen.”

From Los Angeles Times

To the public, he is the chiseled personification of national virtue.

From New York Times

His wing collar flared below his chiseled chin.

From Literature

It is left to directors to determine the size of the cast and to divide up Jelinek’s finely chiseled writing, which is by turns poetic, punning, allusive and philosophical.

From New York Times

She may not have the chiseled contractions of a lifelong Graham dancer, but she knows how to hold an audience’s attention.

From New York Times

Related Words

• adamant
• austere
• definite
• exact
• fixed
• hard-line
• harsh
• inflexible
• intransigent
• rigorous
• solid
• stern
• stringent
• uncompromising
• unyielding