cutaway

1 of 2

adjective

cut·​away ˈkət-ə-ˌwā 

: having or showing parts cut away

a cutaway drawing

cutaway

2 of 2

noun

1

: a coat with skirts tapering from the front waistline to form tails at the back

2

a

: a cutaway picture or representation

b

: a shot that interrupts the main action of a film or television program to take up a related subject or to depict action supposed to be going on at the same time as the main action

3

: a back dive in which the head is lowered toward the board after the takeoff

Examples of cutaway in a Sentence

Adjective

The diagram shows a cutaway view of an engine.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

All of this is presented in clean, efficient cutaway scenes, branches that sprout from the investigation that forms the core of the story. —Katie Rife, Chron, 17 Nov. 2022

One cutaway gag involves Homer scribbling profusely on a chalkboard, the bottom of which shows a math equation. —Mike Bloom, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Nov. 2022

Noun

Those cutaways to Jonathan to Robin to Max to Mike, those are just authentic reactions of Noah’s castmates and friends as their buddy gave a powerhouse performance in an all-timer of a scene. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 Dec. 2025

Historic cutaways of English boarding houses and other artworks of the day served as further source material, though Bader also looked to less straightforward places for inspiration. —Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cutaway

1 of 2 adjective

cut·​away ˈkət-ə-ˌwā 

: showing the top or outside cut away so the inside parts can be seen

a cutaway view

cutaway

2 of 2 noun

1

: a coat with skirts cut from the front waistline to form tails at the back

2

: a cutaway illustration