cutting

1 of 2

noun

cut·​ting ˈkə-tiŋ 

plural cuttings

1

: something cut or cut off or out: such as

a

: a plant section originating from stem, leaf, or root and capable of developing into a new plant

b

: harvest

2

: something made by cutting

especially : record sense 4

3

: self-harm in which a person purposely cuts or scratches the skin

Cutting is a way some people or teens try to cope with the pain of strong emotions, intense pressure, or upsetting relationship problems.

—Charlotte Winkelmann

cutting

2 of 2

adjective

1

: given to or designed for cutting

especially : sharp, edged

2

: marked by sharp piercing cold

cutting winds

3

: inclined or likely to wound the feelings of others especially because of a ruthless incisiveness

a cutting remark

4

: intense, piercing

a cutting pain

cuttingly

ˈkə-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of cutting

Noun

• slice
• cut

Adjective

• biting
• sharp
• bitter
• penetrating

Examples of cutting in a Sentence

Noun

Take some cuttings from the plant and put them in water.

a bag full of grass cuttings

Adjective

He made a cutting remark about my family, and I haven't spoken to him since.

a frigid day with a cutting wind that made it seem even colder

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cutting

• clear-cutting
• cord-cutting
• cost cutting
• cutting board
• cutting edge
• cutting horse
• cutting room
• on the cutting-room floor
• press cutting

Rhymes for cutting

• butting
• gutting
• jutting
• meting
• putting
• rutting
• shutting
• smiting
• strutting
• abutting
• crosscutting
• rebutting

Kids Definition

cutting

1 of 2 noun

cut·​ting ˈkət-iŋ 

: something cut or cut off or out

especially : a section of a plant capable of developing into a new individual

cutting

2 of 2 adjective

1

: designed for cutting : sharp

a cutting blade

2

: marked by piercing cold

a cutting wind

3

: likely to hurt the feelings of others

cutting remarks

cuttingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb