undercut

1 of 2

verb

un·​der·​cut ˌən-dər-ˈkət 

undercut; undercutting

transitive verb

1

: to cut away the underpart of

undercut a vein of ore

2

: to cut away material from the underside of (an object) so as to leave an overhanging portion in relief

3

: to offer to sell at lower prices than or to work for lower wages than (a competitor)

4

: to cut obliquely into (a tree) below the main cut and on the side toward which the tree will fall

5

: to strike (a ball) with a downward glancing blow so as to give a backspin or elevation to the shot

6

: to undermine or destroy the force, value, or effectiveness of

inflation undercuts consumer buying power

intransitive verb

: to perform the action of cutting away beneath

undercut

2 of 2

noun

un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət 

1

British : tenderloin sense 1

2

: the action or result of cutting away from the underside or lower part of something

3

: a notch cut in the base of a tree before felling to determine the direction of falling and to prevent splitting

Examples of undercut in a Sentence

Verb

They undercut the competing store by 10 percent.

a law that undercuts the Constitution

Her behavior undercuts her own credibility.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The script, likewise, is often a little on the nose, often saying out loud what ought to be subtext and undercutting the rich sense of mystery that envelops the film right up until the big reveal. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Colonial merchants were especially upset that the act allowed the East India Company to undercut their tea business. — James Doubek, NPR, 3 July 2026

Noun

The task ahead is to ensure that economic policy strengthens—rather than undercuts—the political capacity of the working class. — Daniel Wortel-London, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026

Say hello to the undercut, which is fierce, anything but floaty, and decidedly cool. — Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undercut

• butternut
• cocoanut
• coconut
• hazelnut
• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• doughnut
• groundnut
• haircut

Kids Definition

undercut

1 of 2 verb

un·​der·​cut ˌən-dər-ˈkət 

undercut; undercutting

1

: to cut away the underpart of something or material beneath something

2

: to offer to sell at lower prices than or to work for lower wages than

undercut a competitor

3

: to strike so as to give a backspin or height to the shot

a tennis player undercutting the ball

undercut

2 of 2 noun

un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət 

: the action or result of undercutting

Medical Definition

undercut

noun

un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət 

: the part of a tooth lying between the gum and the points of maximum outward bulge on the tooth's surfaces