utility knife

noun

: a knife designed for general use

a chef's utility knife

specifically : a cutting tool having a sharp replaceable blade that can be retracted into a usually metal handle

Examples of utility knife in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Read our full bread knife review Paring knife Paring knives are great for coring and peeling, and their short blades give the user more control over small movements than a full-sized chef’s knife or even a mid-sized utility knife. — Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026

Foam inserts and brush guards are also highly affordable upfront (around $2 per linear foot) and require no more than a ladder, heavy gloves, safety equipment, a utility knife and a tape measure to install. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Kerkering has been Mattingly’s utility knife; the interim manager has often had Kerkering warming in the bullpen to enter a messy inning. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 17 June 2026

This is an elastic, waterproof and fully removable solution that can be cut and removed with a simple utility knife when necessary. — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for utility knife

• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife