\ ˈkət 
\
\cut; cutting
Definition of cut
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a : to penetrate with or as if with an edged instrument
cut one's hand with a knife
b : to hurt the feelings of
Her sarcasm cut him to the quick.
c : to strike sharply with a cutting effect
cut him across the legs with a whip
d : to strike (a ball) with a glancing blow that imparts a reverse spin
cut a tennis ball with an inclined racket
e : to experience the growth of (a tooth) through the gum
The toddler is cutting a tooth.
f : to harm (oneself) by making cuts or scratches on one's body
The reasons given for self-inflicted violence indicate that it is a way of relieving intolerable feelings. When cutting themselves, women (and sometimes men) report that they do not feel any pain.— Deborah Feller
b : to shorten by omissions
cut the manuscript
c : dilute, adulterate cut the whiskey with water
d : to reduce in amount
cut costs
e : to remove (something, such as text or a picture) from a computer document and place it on the clipboard so that it can be pasted into another position, document, or program
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 sharply
The driver cut the steering wheel hard.
e : to go or pass around or about : bypass cut the checkout line
4a : to divide into segments
cut the cake
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.
b(1) : to sing, play, or act for the recording of
cut an album cut a commercial
(2) : to sing or play (a song, a track, etc.) for a studio recording
c : to type on a stencil
d : edit sense 1b cut a motion picture
b : to refuse to recognize (an acquaintance)
They cut her dead at the party.
c : to absent oneself from (something, such as a class)
d : to stop (a motor) by opening a switch
e : to stop the filming of (a motion-picture scene)
7a : to engage in (a frolicsome or mischievous action)
… on summer nights strange capers are cut under the thin guise of a Christian festival.— Donald Culross 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 constructionscan't cut that kind of work anymore
9a : to yield or accord to another : give cut me some slack
b : to fill out and sign (a check)
1a : to function as or as if as an edged tool
This knife cuts well.
b : to undergo incision or severance
The cheese cuts easily.
c : to perform the operation of dividing, severing, incising, or intersecting
The tailor is busy cutting.
d : to make a stroke with a whip, sword, or other weapon
e : to wound feelings or sensibilities
remarks that cut
f : to cause constriction or chafing
a coat that cuts at the armpits
g : to be of effect, influence, or significance
an analysis that cuts deep
2a(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
3a : to proceed obliquely (see oblique entry 1 sense 1) 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 The driver cut across three lanes of traffic.
e : to make an abrupt transition from one sound or image to another in motion pictures, radio, or television
The film cuts from the ballroom to the garden.
f : to make a sudden transition or imaginative leap
The story cuts to 1917.
4 : to stop photographing motion pictures
The director yelled "Cut!"
5 : to advance by skipping or bypassing another
cut to the front of the line
6 : to engage in self-harm by making cuts or scratches on one's body
middle school students reporting they knew of several classmates who cut
cut a deal cut both ways cut corners cut ice cut it cut loose cut one's teeth cut the mustard cut to the chase
: to negotiate an agreement
The band cut a deal with the recording company.
: to have both favorable and unfavorable results or implications
: to perform some action in the quickest, easiest, or cheapest way
: to be of importance
—usually used in negative constructionsHis opinion cuts no ice with me.
: to cut the mustard
1 : to free from control or restraint
cut us loose from the contract
2 : to act without restraint
enjoyed cutting loose at nightclubs
: to learn, do, or perform as a beginning or at the start of one's career
an actress who cut her teeth on television
: to achieve the standard of performance necessary for success
She tried to join the soccer team, but she couldn't cut the mustard.
: to get to the point
She urged him to skip the details and cut to the chase.
cut
nounDefinition of cut (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : a product of cutting: such as
a(1) : an opening made with an edged instrument
(2) : a wound made by something sharp : gash
b : a creek, channel, or inlet made by excavation or worn by natural action
c : a surface or outline left by cutting
d : a passage cut as a roadway
e : a grade or step especially in a social scale
a cut above the ordinary
f : a subset of a set such that when it is subtracted from the set the remainder is not connected
g : a pictorial illustration
2 : the act or an instance of cutting: such as
a : a gesture or expression that hurts the feelings
made an unkind cut
b : a straight passage or course
c : a stroke or blow with the edge of a knife or other edged tool
d : a lash with or as if with a whip
e : the act of reducing or removing a part
a cut in pay
f : an act or turn of cutting cards also : the result of cutting
g : the elimination of part of a large field from further participation, consideration, or competition (as in a golf tournament)
—often used with miss or make to denote respectively being or not being among those eliminatedplayed well and made the cut
3 : something that is cut or cut off: such as
a : a length of cloth varying from 40 to 100 yards (36.6 to 91.4 meters)
b : the yield of products cut especially during one harvest
c : a segment or section of a meat carcass or a part of one
d : a group of animals selected from a herd
e : share took his cut of the profits
4 : a voluntary absence from a class
5a : a stroke that cuts a ball also : the spin imparted by such a stroke
b : a swing by a batter at a pitched baseball
c : an exchange of captures in checkers
6 : a result of editing: such as
a : an abrupt transition from one sound or image to another in motion pictures, radio, or television
b : an edited version of a film
cut of one's jib
: appearance, style
cut
adjectiveDefinition of cut (Entry 3 of 3)
: marked by a well-developed and highly defined musculature
cut abs
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Examples of cut in a Sentence
Verb cutting a piece of string
He uses the ax to cut wood.
The meat is so tender you can cut it with a fork. Cut along the dotted line.
The saw easily cuts through metal.
She cut into the melon with a knife.
I cut myself while shaving.
I had a cut finger.
We were fighting, and he tried to cut me with his knife.
Pieces of broken glass cut her face and arms. Noun
Make a few small cuts in the crust to let the air escape.
a two-inch cut in the cloth
He came home covered in cuts and bruises.
Further cuts in spending are needed.
You'll have to make a few cuts in your manuscript if you want us to publish it.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Employers also cut jobs in December for the first time since the spring.
—
Sarah Nassauer, WSJ, "U.S. Retail Sales Likely Were Soft in December as Covid-19 Cases Rose," 15 Jan. 2021 That means millions of households entered the winter months with less financial flexibility, even as the pandemic rages across the U.S. and employers cut jobs in December.
—
Ashley Shaffer, USA TODAY, "Here we go again," 12 Jan. 2021 But for the millions who have lost jobs, or had their incomes cut by the recession, a new car is more out of reach than ever due to rising prices.
—
Chris Isidore, CNN, "Americans are buying cars again," 5 Jan. 2021 Like other sites in Pompeii, the thermopolium preserves the final moments of lives cut short by one of history’s most devastating natural disasters.
—
Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, "Ancient Pompeiians Stopped at This ‘Snack Bar’ to Feast on Snails, Fish and Wine," 30 Dec. 2020 As the House grieves Congressman-elect Letlow's passing, our sorrow is compounded by the grief of so many other families who have also suffered lives cut short by this terrible virus.
—
Staff Report, NOLA.com, "Reactions to Congressman-elect Luke Letlow's death: 'COVID-19 can kill.' He had 'passion to serve.'," 29 Dec. 2020 After having her hours cut at an on-call medical service for hotels, Shilpa Patel started up Journey MedCare, a concierge home-call physician service.
—
Trevor Fraser, orlandosentinel.com, "COVID-19 opens doors for Orlando entrepreneurs even as it kills some businesses," 28 Dec. 2020 This week’s episodes of The Bachelorette were particularly tough for fans of the reality dating franchise who had to watch Tayshia Adams cut what may have been the best overall pool of contestants in the show’s history down to four men.
—
Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, "Rachel Lindsay Doesn’t Want Ben Smith to Be The Next Bachelor & The Reason Is Pretty Petty," 18 Dec. 2020 Other workers may be employed full time, but have had their hours cut and earn incomes that put them below the poverty line.
—
Megan Cerullo, CBS News, "Nearly 8 million Americans fell into poverty between June and November," 17 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Mathis summed up the despair that many cut-off people are feeling.
—
Carolyn Said, SFChronicle.com, "California EDD’s mass suspension of accounts hangs over jobless," 16 Jan. 2021 As a big fan of exposed undergarments, Dua donned barely-there pastel lingerie, a pair of cut-out fishnet tights, and a shiny new set of tumbling extensions.
—
Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Dua Lipa Is Serving Some Truly Glorious Side Boob On the Cover of Rolling Stone," 15 Jan. 2021 McMaster proposed a five-year, 15% across-the-board tax cut for all personal income brackets.
—
Vivian Jones, Washington Examiner, "McMaster pushes to require schools to reopen for in-person learning," 14 Jan. 2021 Peel plantains by cutting off the ends and making a long, shallow cut through the peel.
—
Gabriella Vigoreaux, Good Housekeeping, "Fried Plantains," 13 Jan. 2021 In the parking lot off Jackie Robinson Avenue the air smelled like either orange trees or fresh-cut grass or the ocean, or maybe all three.
—
Mike Finger, ExpressNews.com, "Mike Finger: Two decades later, Tommy Lasorda’s message still rings true," 9 Jan. 2021 The former vice president's climate action pledge includes an ambitious $2 trillion economic plan that would accelerate a clean-energy transition, cut carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2035 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
—
Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, "Ice Fog, Quickie Thaw Next Week, Then Subzero Slap," 7 Jan. 2021 McConnell, however, previously supported the $1 trillion 2017 tax cut, which disproportionately benefited the wealthy.
—
Audrey Mcnamara, CBS News, "Mitch McConnell's Louisville home vandalized with graffiti," 3 Jan. 2021 And sometimes, an editorial writer cut through history’s avalanche of facts to remind us of one that should never be forgotten.
—
Ron Grossman, chicagotribune.com, "Flashback: ‘What’s on the other side?’ The Tribune’s New Year’s editions reflect the many mood swings of a city," 1 Jan. 2021
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cut.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cut
cut
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of cut
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to use a sharp tool (such as a knife) to open or divide (something, such as paper or wood)
: to make a hole or wound in (a person's skin)
: to make (a hole) in something by using a sharp tool
cut
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of cut (Entry 2 of 2)
: an opening or hole made with a sharp tool (such as a knife)
: a wound on a person's body that is made by something sharp
: an act of making something smaller in amount
See the full definition for cut in the English Language Learners Dictionary
cut
verb\ ˈkət \
\cut; cutting
Kids Definition of cut
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to penetrate or divide with or as if with an edged tool : cleave cut a finger
2 : to undergo shaping or penetrating with an edged tool
Cheese cuts easily.
3 : to divide into two or more parts
cut a deck of cards Would you cut the cake?
4 : to shorten or remove with scissors, a knife, or clippers
5 : to go by a short or direct path or course
We cut across the lawn.
6 : to destroy the connection of
Soldiers cut electricity to the enemy.
7 : to intentionally not attend
He developed a habit of cutting class.
8 : to move quickly or suddenly
The driver cut across two lanes of traffic.
9 : to make less
cut costs
10 : to experience the growth of through the gum
The baby is cutting teeth.
11 : to stop or cause to stop
Cut the motor. Cut that whispering.
12 : to cause painful feelings
That remark really cut.
13 : to shape by carving or grinding
cut a gem
cut back cut down cut in cut into cut off cut out
1 : to use less or do less of
I cut back on watching TV.
2 : to reduce the size or amount of
You'll have to cut back on your vacation plans.
1 : to knock down and wound or kill
2 : to reduce the size or amount of
The new route cuts down on travel time.
3 to use less or do less of
I'm cutting down on sweets.
: to reduce the amount of
The increase in supply costs cut into their profit.
1 : isolate The flood cut us off from the rest of the city.
2 : discontinue His father threatened to cut off his allowance.
3 : to stop or interrupt while speaking
She always cuts me off while I'm talking.
1 : to form by removing with scissors, a knife, or a saw
2 : to assign through necessity
You've got your work cut out for you.
3 : to put an end to
Cut out that nonsense!
cut
nounKids Definition of cut (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : something (as a gash or wound) produced by a sharp object
2 : reduction sense 1 He took a cut in pay.
3 : something resulting from shortening, division, or removal
a cut of beef
4 : share entry 1 sense 1 They took their cut of the winnings.
5 : a sharp stroke or blow
6 : the way in which a thing is styled, formed, or made
the cut of the pants
7 : something done or said that hurts someone's feelings
cut
verb\ ˈkət \
\cut; cutting
Medical Definition of cut
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : to penetrate with or as if with an edged instrument
b : to cut or operate on in surgery: as
(1) : to subject (a domestic animal) to castration
(2) : to perform lithotomy on
c : to experience the emergence of (a tooth) through the gum
2 : to subject to trimming or paring
cut one's nails
1 : to function as or in the manner of an edged tool
a knife that cuts well
2 : to cut in surgery : operate
cut
nounMedical Definition of cut (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a product of cutting: as
a : an opening made with an edged instrument
b : a wound made by something sharp
2 : a stroke or blow with the edge of a sharp implement (as a knife)
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Share cut
Time Traveler for cut
The first known use of cut was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century