A bevel is a slanted or angled edge instead of a sharp, square corner. When you look at a picture frame, mirror, or fancy piece of furniture, you might notice the edges aren't cut straight up and down but instead slope at an angle. That angled cut is a bevel.

Carpenters and woodworkers use bevels all the time. Instead of cutting wood at a perfect 90-degree angle, they might cut it at 45 degrees to create a beveled edge. This makes joints fit together more smoothly and gives furniture a more finished, elegant look. A jeweler might bevel the edges of a gemstone to make it catch the light better.

You can also use bevel as a verb: a craftsperson might bevel the edge of a tabletop to make it less sharp and safer. Many tools have beveled edges too. The cutting edge of a chisel is beveled so it can slice into wood cleanly.

Bevels aren't just decorative. They serve practical purposes: a beveled edge on a mirror can make it look thinner and more refined, while beveled edges on safety glass or metal parts eliminate dangerous sharp corners. The angle itself creates both beauty and function.