cutting

1 of 2

noun

cut·​ting ˈkə-tiŋ 

plural cuttings

1

: something cut or cut off or out: such as

a

: a plant section originating from stem, leaf, or root and capable of developing into a new plant

b

: harvest

2

: something made by cutting

especially : record sense 4

3

: self-harm in which a person purposely cuts or scratches the skin

Cutting is a way some people or teens try to cope with the pain of strong emotions, intense pressure, or upsetting relationship problems. They may be dealing with feelings that seem too difficult to bear or bad situations they think can't change.

—Charlotte Winkelmann

cutting

2 of 2

adjective

1

: given to or designed for cutting

especially : sharp, edged

2

: marked by sharp piercing cold

cutting winds

3

: inclined or likely to wound the feelings of others especially because of a ruthless incisiveness

a cutting remark

4

: intense, piercing

a cutting pain

cuttingly

ˈkə-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of cutting

Noun

• slice
• cut

Adjective

• biting
• sharp
• bitter
• penetrating

Examples of cutting in a Sentence

Noun

Take some cuttings from the plant and put them in water.

a bag full of grass cuttings

Adjective

He made a cutting remark about my family, and I haven't spoken to him since.

a frigid day with a cutting wind that made it seem even colder

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cutting

• clear-cutting
• cord cutting
• cost cutting
• cutting board
• cutting edge
• cutting horse
• cutting room
• on the cutting-room floor
• press cutting

Rhymes for cutting

• butting
• gutting
• jutting
• meting
• putting
• rutting
• shutting
• smiting
• strutting
• abutting
• crosscutting
• rebutting

Kids Definition

cutting

1 of 2 noun

cut·​ting ˈkət-iŋ 

: something cut or cut off or out

especially : a section of a plant capable of developing into a new individual

cutting

2 of 2 adjective

1

: designed for cutting : sharp

a cutting blade

2

: marked by piercing cold

a cutting wind

3

: likely to hurt the feelings of others

cutting remarks

cuttingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb