Sliver: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used to describe a small, thin piece of something, usually broken or cut off from a larger piece. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

• She carefully picked up a sliver of glass from the floor.
• He only gave me a sliver of his attention during the meeting.

Splinter is used for a small, thin, sharp piece of material that has broken off from a larger piece, often wood or metal, which can cause injury.

• He got a splinter in his finger while handling the old wooden fence.
• The metal railing splintered into tiny pieces.

Shard usually describes a sharp, broken piece of a hard material, such as glass or pottery. It often implies danger or sharpness due to its pointed edges.

• She found a shard of broken glass on the sidewalk.
• Careful, there are shards of pottery on the floor!

A chip typically refers to a small, flat piece broken off from a larger object or a small fragment, often seen in contexts like electronics, pottery, or food.

• He ate a chip of the chocolate bar.
• There was a chip in the paint on the wall.

Use this word when referring to a very thin, narrow piece of something, often accidentally or naturally broken from a larger piece.

• I got a sliver of glass stuck in my finger
• She gave me a sliver of the cake to taste

Chain this word to describe cutting something into thin, uniform pieces, often when referring to food items like bread, meat, or vegetables.

• I need to slice the bread before making sandwiches
• She carefully sliced the tomatoes for the salad

This word is versatile and can be used in many situations where something is divided into pieces with a sharp tool. It can be general or specific, and its context depends on the subject being cut.

• She cut the paper with scissors
• He cut his finger while preparing dinner

This word is suitable when referring to cutting something into pieces, usually with a strong, downward motion, often used with food preparation or woodcutting.

• I need to chop some onions for the soup
• He chopped the wood into smaller pieces for the fire