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Definition of shiv

shiv

/ˈʃɪv/
shiv
Plural:shivs
•
Past Simple:shivved
•
Past Participle:shivved
•
Present Participle:shivving
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shiv Lexical Profile

shiv Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A knife or razor, especially an improvised sharp weapon made by a prisoner from everyday materials.

Example

"Correctional officers confiscated a homemade shiv during the routine cell inspection."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

To stab or slash someone with a knife or an improvised blade.

Example

"In the crime drama, the informant feared that a rival gang member might try to shiv him in the prison yard."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for shiv

• Rhymes for shiv

• Nearby Words

shittiness
shitty
shitwork
shiv
shiva
shivah
shivanasamudra

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in early 20th-century criminal slang, likely derived from the Romani word 'chiv' meaning 'blade' or 'knife'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shiv. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shiv
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