Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

declaw

/diːˈklɔː/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.42 in modern English

Syllables: de-claw
IPA: /diːˈklɔː/

12

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To surgically remove the claws of (an animal); to perform onychectomy on.

Transitive verb

verb

To make harmless; to remove the power, authority, or force from.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"On Oct. 9, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that bans cats from being declawed statewide. Veterinarians can no longer declaw cats even if an owner wants the procedure to be done."
"The acerbic comedy has been declawed by the demands of network TV."
"If, when the moment arrives, China is unwilling to side with its allies, the Arabs will rapidly find a declawed Chinese dragon unwelcome."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h₁ Proto-Indo-European *déh₁ Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- English claw English declaw From de- + claw.

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /diːˈklɔː/

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

declaws (present, singular) declawing (participle, present) declawed (participle, past) declawed (past)

Frequently Paired Words

declawing

Rhymes With

law saw draw raw swing saw aw shaw withdraw straw jaw thoughtful awe

Questions

How do you pronounce declaw?: The recorded pronunciation is /diːˈklɔː/.
What does declaw mean?: To surgically remove the claws of (an animal); to perform onychectomy on.
Where does declaw come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h₁ Proto-Indo-European *déh₁ Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- English claw English declaw From de- + claw.

How to pronounce declaw

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “declaw”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/diːˈklɔː/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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