1
: cut so that the surface or edge is smooth and even
2
: sharply defined
3
: of wholesome appearance

Examples of clean-cut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After much chattering about the status of the Oscar winner’s seemingly clean-cut visage in the lead-up to the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, once the camera (actually, four cameras) train themselves on Stone’s noggin during the film’s first act, there’s no doubt. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 While native plants may not look as clean-cut as turf grass, growing native plants on residential lawns is better for local wildlife, Vargo said. Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025 This is still a bit of clean-cut Ron Howard Land — there’s a prostitute played by Shelley Long, for crying out loud — but there’s a little more grit under the fingernails, a willingness for Howard, perhaps inspired by his time with Corman, to get his hands dirty. Will Leitch, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025 The clip opens with a pretty-in-pink Joel, clean-cut but stuck in a rut with her husband, who is played by the singer’s real-life fiancé Ryan Gleason. Rachel Desantis, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clean-cut

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clean-cut was in 1843

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Cite this Entry

“Clean-cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clean-cut. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

clean-cut

adjective
ˈklēn-ˈkət
: neat and wholesome looking

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