santoku

noun

san·​to·​ku ˌsan-ˈtō-kü 

plural santokus

: a medium-sized, multipurpose kitchen knife of Japanese origin that has a lightweight blade with a straight or slightly curved cutting edge and a spine that curves downward to the tip

The santoku has long been the Japanese equivalent of a chef's knife … . Compared with a classic chef's knife, the santoku is typically shorter and has a thinner blade, a stubbier tip, and a straighter edge.

—Maryellen Driscoll

Examples of santoku in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The set of 14 includes six steak knives, a chef knife, bread knife, santoku knife, utility knife, paring knife, kitchen scissors, an acacia wood knife block, and sharpening steel. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 9 July 2025

But the santoku itself was a multipurpose knife designed after three more traditional knife styles—one of which was the nakiri, a short cleaver-style knife used for chopping vegetables. —Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2025

The set includes a chef's, santoku, utility, and paring knives, along with a honing rod, and a magnetic walnut knife block. —Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 14 June 2024

Our top picks Best santoku knife overall: Mac Knife Superior Santoku Knife A santoku upgrade: Misono UX10 Santoku The santoku is a style of kitchen knife that originated in Japan. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese santoku-(bōchō), literally, "three-virtues (knife)," from san "three" + toku "virtue"

Note: The Japanese word supposedly refers to the multiple functions of the knife (an adaptation of Western kitchen knives), though its precise origin has not been illuminated.

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for santoku

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue