cutter

noun

cut·​ter ˈkə-tər How to pronounce cutter (audio)
plural cutters
1
: one that cuts:
a
: one whose work is cutting or involves cutting
wood/glass cutters
b(1)
: an instrument, machine, machine part, or tool that cuts
(2)
: a device for vibrating a cutting stylus in disc recording
also : the stylus or its point
2
a
: a ship's boat for carrying stores or passengers
b
: a single-masted fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel
c
: a small armed vessel in government service
3
baseball : cut fastball
His previous three home runs had come on a fastball, a cutter and a slider.Billy Witz
4
: a light sleigh
5
: a person who cuts himself or herself purposely (see cut entry 1 sense 1f) : a person who engages in cutting
The cast includes Jill, a middle-class runaway in love with the romance of risk; Maura, a "cutter" who engages in self-mutilation to thwart her over-controlling father …Cecelia Goodnow

Examples of cutter in a Sentence

a fabric cutter
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.
Social media is also full of ideas from people taking this oversized pie and turning it into any number of other desserts, from mini individual pies (with the use of a biscuit cutter) to layered trifles that are highly impressive and visually stunning. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025 The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher used his cutter, his sweeper, his slider and his heat – a four-seem fastball that touched 100 mph early and remained in the high-90s. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025 Without access to many kitchen supplies, the women improvised, using wine bottles and shell casings as rolling pins and baking soda tins as cutters. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025 Walker also wanted Scherzer to execute his fastball and slider glove side, throw a strike-to-ball changeup and place his cutter at the top of the zone. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cutter

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutter was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutter. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

cutter

noun
cut·​ter ˈkət-ər How to pronounce cutter (audio)
1
: one that cuts
a diamond cutter
a cookie cutter
2
a
: a ship's boat for carrying supplies or passengers
b
: a small sailing boat with one mast
c
: a small armed boat in government service
3
: a small sleigh

More from Merriam-Webster on cutter

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