ax
ax Lexical Profile
ax Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A hand tool used for chopping, splitting, or shaping wood, typically consisting of a heavy iron or steel blade attached to a wooden handle.
"The lumberjack swung the ax with practiced precision to split the large oak log."
A sudden and drastic cancellation of a project, reduction in funding, or dismissal from employment.
"After the corporate merger, several redundant departments faced the ax to reduce operational costs."
A musical instrument, especially a guitar or saxophone, used primarily in jazz, rock, or popular music contexts.
"The lead guitarist grabbed his ax and stepped up to the microphone for a blistering solo."
• verb
To end, cancel, or dismiss suddenly and ruthlessly.
"The network decided to ax the television series after just one season due to poor ratings."
To chop, strike, or cut down using an ax.
"The workers axed their way through the dense thicket to clear a path for the new trail."
Word Nuance & Usage
The spelling 'ax' is primarily used in American English, whereas 'axe' is the standard spelling in British English and remains widely accepted in North America as well.
• Rhymes for ax
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'æcs', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'aks' and German 'Axt'. It is one of the oldest continuous words in the English language.