pare

¹

[ pair ]

verb (used with object)

, pared, par·ing.

1. to cut off the outer coating, layer, or part of.
2. to remove (an outer coating, layer, or part) by cutting (often followed by off or away ).
3. to reduce or remove by or as by cutting; diminish or decrease gradually (often followed by down ):

   to pare down one's expenses.

   Synonyms: lessen, shave, clip

   Antonyms: increase

Paré

²

[ pa-rey ]

noun

1. Am·broise [ah, n, -, brwaz], 1510–90, French surgeon.

Paré

¹

/ pare /

noun

1. ParéAmbroise15101590MFrenchMEDICINE: surgeon Ambroise (ɑ̃brwaz). 1510–90, French surgeon. He reintroduced ligature of arteries following amputation instead of cauterization

pare

²

/ pɛə /

verb

1. to peel or cut (the outer layer) from (something)
2. to cut the edges from (the nails); trim
3. to decrease bit by bit

Derived Forms

• ˈparer, noun

Other Words From

• parea·ble adjective
• un·pared adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pare¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English paren, from Middle French parer, “to make ready, trim” from Latin parāre ”to prepare, make ready“; prepare

Word History and Origins

Origin of pare¹

C13: from Old French parer to adorn, from Latin parāre to make ready

Synonym Study

See peel ¹.

Example Sentences

The end of the pandemic emergency has prompted most states to start paring their Medicaid rolls, throwing millions off the program who are still eligible but don’t know it.

From Los Angeles Times

Insurers were ruthless about paring their customer base down to the youngest, healthiest applicants — those with minimal expected healthcare costs unless they were hit by a meteor.

From Los Angeles Times

Hartley believes that paring back the programme of sports for 2026 could give organisers the chance to define the Commonwealth Game more clearly, as well as reducing costs.

From BBC

The first draft of the screenplay for “Jefferson in Paris” was 350 pages, and they kept paring it down and cutting.

From Salon

By paring down the original indictment, Smith has also made it more likely the case goes to trial, ever.

From Salon

Related Words

• cut back
• cut down
• decrease
• lower
• mark down
• prune
• reduce
• scrape
• shave
• slash