shaven: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Slightly formal or literary, especially as an adjective.
Quick answer
What does “shaven” mean?
A past participle of the verb 'shave', meaning having had hair removed from the skin, especially the face or head.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A past participle of the verb 'shave', meaning having had hair removed from the skin, especially the face or head.
Used to describe a state of smoothness, cleanness, or being pared down, often by having hair or a layer removed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In both varieties, 'shaven' is primarily used adjectivally, especially in compounds (e.g., clean-shaven). 'Shaved' is more common for the simple past/participle in everyday speech.
Connotations
In both, 'shaven' can sound slightly more formal, deliberate, or descriptive of a state.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to a slight preference for participial adjectives (e.g., 'shaven head' vs. US 'shaved head'), but the difference is minor.
Grammar
How to Use “shaven” in a Sentence
be + shaven (He was clean-shaven.)have + noun + shaven (She had her head shaven.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shaven” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He hasn't shaven for a week.
- Have you shaven your legs yet?
American English
- He hadn't shaven in days.
- I've shaven my beard off.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as an adverb)
American English
- (Rarely used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- He sported a shaven head for charity.
- The monk's shaven crown was a mark of his order.
American English
- He prefers a clean-shaven look for job interviews.
- The shaven ice was a refreshing treat.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in grooming guidelines: 'Employees are expected to be clean-shaven.'
Academic
Rare. Could appear in historical/religious texts describing tonsure or rituals.
Everyday
Common in describing appearance, especially of the face or head.
Technical
Used in some surgical/dermatological contexts (e.g., 'pre-shaven area').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shaven”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shaven”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shaven”
- Using 'shaven' as the simple past tense (e.g., 'I shaven yesterday' – incorrect).
- Overusing 'shaven' instead of the more common adjectival 'shaved' (e.g., 'a shaved head' is more frequent than 'a shaven head').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are past participles of 'shave'. 'Shaved' is more common for the verb form and general adjective use. 'Shaven' is used more often as an adjective, especially in fixed phrases like 'clean-shaven' or for a stylistic/literary effect.
Yes, when it precedes a noun (a clean-shaven man). It can be written without a hyphen when it follows a verb (He was clean shaven), but hyphenation is common in both positions.
Yes, metaphorically or in specific contexts. For example, 'shaven ice' (like snow cones), 'shaven truffle' (thinly sliced), or 'shaven door' (planed down to fit).
Yes. 'Shave' is a regular verb (shave, shaved, shaved), but it has an alternative, less common past participle 'shaven', which is used adjectivally. This is similar to 'proven' from 'prove'.
A past participle of the verb 'shave', meaning having had hair removed from the skin, especially the face or head.
Shaven is usually slightly formal or literary, especially as an adjective. in register.
Shaven: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪv(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪvən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “clean-shaven”
- “shaven and shorn”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'shaven' as the 'smooth' version of 'shave' – it describes the resulting state.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMOOTHNESS IS PREPAREDNESS/CLEANLINESS (e.g., a shaven cheek, a shaven slate).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'shaven' used correctly?