variants or less commonly cut-and-dry
: being or done according to a plan, set procedure, or formula : routine
a cut-and-dried presentation

Examples of cut-and-dried in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the reality of the app’s influence on discussions around the war isn’t cut-and-dried. David Ingram, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023 Angela told Fox News Digital the issue isn't cut-and-dry. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 24 Oct. 2023 Whether Davis’ previous statements tied to his disclosure to feds are admissible in a Las Vegas courtroom might not be a cut-and-dry answer. Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2023 Employees frequently give different answers to my questions, as though cut-and-dry information of, for instance, the pool’s weekday hours, are matters of interpretation. Zoë Bernard, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2023 While most back-to-work scenarios are more cut-and-dried — the studio film will take precedence over the passion-project indie — other situations are more nebulous. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Sep. 2023 Google’s allegations seek to reframe the DOJ’s suit from a cut-and-dry application of antitrust law by career DOJ staff into something more akin to a personal vendetta led by a single powerful individual and his ideological allies. Brian Fung, CNN, 31 Aug. 2023 What’s noteworthy about that cut-and-dried response is how utterly Ferrari believes it. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Aug. 2023 The decisions are even more cut-and-dried when a dancer brings in her coach. Cathy Alter, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cut-and-dried.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cut-and-dried was in 1710

Dictionary Entries Near cut-and-dried

Cite this Entry

“Cut-and-dried.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut-and-dried. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

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