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Definition of machete
machete
/məˈʃɛt.i/
ma · che · te
Plural:machetes
•Past Simple:macheted
•Past Participle:macheted
•Present Participle:macheting
machete Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
machete Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A large, heavy knife with a broad blade, typically used as an agricultural implement for cutting through dense undergrowth, sugar cane, or as a weapon.
Example
"The guide used a sharp machete to clear a trail through the thick jungle vines."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for machete• verb
1
To cut, slash, or clear a path using a large, broad-bladed knife.
Example
"The researchers macheted their way through the thick bamboo forest to reach the hidden river."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for machete• Rhymes for machete
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish 'machete', a diminutive of 'macho' (sledgehammer), which derives from the Latin 'marculus' (small hammer).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Machete. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/machete