cut

¹cut

verb \ˈkət\

cutcut·ting

Definition of CUT

transitive verb

1

a : to penetrate with or as if with an edged instrument b : to hurt the feelings of c : to strike sharply with a cutting effect d : to strike (a ball) with a glancing blow that imparts a reverse spin e : to experience the growth of (a tooth) through the gum

2

a : trim, pare <cut one's nails> b : to shorten by omissions <cut the manuscript> c : dilute, adulterate <cut the whiskey with water> d : to reduce in amount <cut costs>

3

a : mow, reap <cut hay> b (1) : to divide into parts with an edged tool <cut bread> (2) : fell, hew c (1) : to separate or discharge from an organization <cut them from the team> (2) : to single out and isolate <cut a calf out from the herd> d : to turn (as a steering wheel) sharply <the driver cut the wheel hard> e : to go or pass around or about : bypass <cut the checkout line>

4

a : to divide into segments <cut the cake> b : intersect, cross <one line cutting another> c : break, interrupt <cut our supply lines> d (1) : to divide (a deck of cards) into two portions (2) : to draw (a card) from the deck e : to divide into shares : split f : analyze, break down <any way you cut it, we won>

5

a : to make by or as if by cutting: as (1) : carve <cut stone> (2) : to shape by grinding <cut a diamond> (3) : engrave (4) : to shear or hollow out <cut a groove> b (1) : to sing, play, or act for the recording of <cut an album> <cut a commercial> (2) : to sing or play (as a song or a track) for a studio recording c : to type on a stencil d : edit 1b <cut a motion picture>

6

a : stop, cease <cut the nonsense> b : to refuse to recognize (an acquaintance) <they cut her dead at the party> c : to absent oneself from (as a class) d : to stop (a motor) by opening a switch e : to stop the filming of (a motion-picture scene)

7

a : to engage in (a frolicsome or mischievous action) <on summer nights strange capers are cut under the thin guise of a Christian festival — D. C. Peattie> b : to give the appearance or impression of <cut a fine figure>

8

: to be able to manage or handle —usually used in negative constructions <can't cut that kind of work anymore>

9

a : to yield or accord to another : give <cut me some slack> b : to fill out and sign (a check)

intransitive verb

1

a : to function as or as if as an edged tool b : to undergo incision or severance <cheese cuts easily> c : to perform the operation of dividing, severing, incising, or intersecting d : to make a stroke with a whip, sword, or other weapon e : to wound feelings or sensibilities f : to cause constriction or chafing g : to be of effect, influence, or significance <an analysis that cuts deep>

2

a (1) : to divide a pack of cards especially in order to decide the deal or settle a bet (2) : to draw a card from the pack b : to divide spoils : split

3

a : to proceed obliquely from a straight course <cut across the yard> b : to move swiftly <a yacht cutting through the water> c : to describe an oblique or diagonal line d : to change sharply in direction : swerve e : to make an abrupt transition from one sound or image to another in motion pictures, radio, or television f : to make a sudden transition or imaginative leap <the story cuts to 1917>

4

: to stop photographing motion pictures

5

: to advance by skipping or bypassing another <cut to the front of the line>

— cut a deal

: to negotiate an agreement

— cut both ways

: to have both favorable and unfavorable results or implications

— cut corners

: to perform some action in the quickest, easiest, or cheapest way

— cut ice

: to be of importance —usually used in negative constructions <his opinion cuts no ice with me>

— cut it

: to cut the mustard

— cut loose

1

: to free from control or restraint <cut us loose from the contract>

2

: to act without restraint <enjoyed cutting loose at nightclubs>

— cut one's teeth

: to learn, do, or perform as a beginning or at the start of one's career <an actress who cut her teeth on television>

— cut the mustard

: to achieve the standard of performance necessary for success

— cut to the chase

: to get to the point

Examples of CUT

1. cutting a piece of string
2. He uses the ax to cut wood.
3. The meat is so tender you can cut it with a fork.
4. Cut along the dotted line.
5. The saw easily cuts through metal.
6. She cut into the melon with a knife.
7. I cut myself while shaving.
8. I had a cut finger.
9. We were fighting, and he tried to cut me with his knife.
10. Pieces of broken glass cut her face and arms.

Origin of CUT

Middle English cutten

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CUT

Synonyms: gash, incise, rip, shear, slash, slice, slit

Antonyms: attend, show up (for)

Related Words: crosscut, hacksaw, saw, scissor; cleave, rive, split; pierce, stab; bruise, butcher, hack, haggle, lacerate, mangle; rend, tear; carve, chip, chisel, notch; anatomize, dissect, section; chop, dice, mince; amputate, cut off, sever

Near Antonyms: elongate, extend, lengthen

see all synonyms and antonyms

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