deep cut

noun

plural deep cuts

1

music : a song that is considerably less popular and well-known than other songs on the same album or by the same artist

From there, the band careened through highlights and the occasional deep cut from its catalog …

—Mikael Wood

But the rocker saw an opportunity to turn casual fans on to his deep cuts—so each disc intersperses hits with lesser-known album tracks in non-chronological order.

—David Browne

2

: something (such as an obscure reference to a book or movie) that is recognizable to devotees but not usually to others

One of the fun things about being a Marvel fan is the franchise's ability to constantly surprise its audience with comic book deep cuts, surprising castings, and twists that no one sees coming.

—Alexis Nedd

deep-cut adjective

a deep-cut reference/joke

Examples of deep cut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet this was a more committed look back than might have been expected, with a loose narrative arc tracing No Doubt’s ascent (rather than its peak) and a set list filled with deep cuts well beyond the catchy singles that once blanketed KROQ and MTV. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

The redirection of funding comes after a year of deep cuts to global humanitarian aid by the United States and other donor countries. —Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2026

What could be a better way to blow off some grief than turning up the amps and howling out more Kimbrough deep cuts? —Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 7 May 2026

Gibbs-White has a deep cut (just above the bridge of his nose). —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 4 May 2026

In between, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which, among other things, made deep cuts to nutrition assistance programs that helped support American farming. —The Virginian Pilot and Daily Press Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026

The venue caters to fans of deep cuts, funk and soul, offering a space where music is as central as the drinks. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026

That message aligns with Cruz’s view that NASA funding remains broadly bipartisan, even as the White House proposes deep cuts. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026

While some in the chamber's controlling party push for greater regulations, others have proposed deep cuts to the state department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy budget, which agency officials say will hinder their ability to monitor problem dams. —CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deep cut

• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• doughnut
• groundnut
• haircut
• hindgut
• midgut
• precut
• rebut