To pare means to cut away the outer layer or edge of something, usually in thin slices. When you pare an apple, you remove its peel with a small knife. When you pare your fingernails, you trim away the parts that have grown too long.

A paring knife is a small, sharp kitchen knife designed for this careful work. Cooks pare potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables before cooking them, removing just the skin while keeping the good part underneath.

Pare also means to reduce or make smaller, especially by cutting away what isn't needed. A writer might pare down a long essay by removing unnecessary sentences. A family on a tight budget might pare their expenses by cutting out things they don't really need. When you pare something down, you're trimming it to its essential parts, like carving away excess wood to reveal the sculpture inside.

The word sounds exactly like “pair” (two of something) and “pear” (the fruit), which can cause confusion in writing. Remember: you pare a pear with a pair of hands.