esculpir

Senses

1. 1.

   to sculpt, to carve

   to create a three-dimensional artwork by carving or shaping material

2. 2.

   to shape, to mold

   to form or develop something through effort or time

3. 3.

   to tone, to sculpt

   to define muscles through exercise (colloquial, fitness context)

Examples

• "Michelangelo esculpiu o David em mármore."

  Michelangelo sculpted David in marble.

• "Ela está malhando todos os dias para esculpir o corpo."

  She's working out every day to sculpt her body.

• "O artista esculpiu uma figura impressionante na madeira."

  The artist carved an impressive figure in the wood.

Usage

Regular -ir verb. Commonly used with materials like "em mármore" (in marble), "em madeira" (in wood), "em pedra" (in stone). In fitness contexts, "esculpir o corpo" is a popular expression meaning to tone/define one's physique. Can be used figuratively to mean shaping character or destiny.