utility knife

noun

Definition of utility knife

: 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

Use a straightedge and utility knife to cut between the points, forming a notch in each pocket. — Jeremy Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "How To Make a Leather Wallet," 20 Aug. 2018 Stanley’s new Fat Max plastic utility knives are not pitched specifically as box openers, but that’s their most obvious use. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "Stanley Made a Lightweight Plastic Utility Knife. So Is It Any Good?," 14 Nov. 2018 Some cooks prefer to substitute a 5-inch utility knife (or up to 7 inches, depending upon the size of your hand) that can perform a paring knife’s tasks, but can also be used for slicing fruits, vegetables, and cheeses. — Francine Maroukian, Popular Mechanics, "How To Buy Kitchen Knives Like a Pro," 24 Oct. 2018 First, use a utility knife and a putty knife to cut and scrape away the old caulk. — Brett Martin, Popular Mechanics, "8 Home Repairs You Should Never Put Off," 12 Sep. 2017 Armstrong self-adhesive vinyl floor tiles (starting at $1 a square foot, armstrong.com) can be cut to fit with a utility knife. — Good Housekeeping, "Easy Bathroom Upgrades," 6 Feb. 2012 Step 2: Use a sharp utility knife to slit each pool noodle down its center. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Build This Floating Ping Pong Table," 28 June 2018 Milwaukee Tool has recently jumped into the utility knife field with their Hardline knives. — Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, "Why You Should Carry a Pocketknife With You Every Day," 25 Jan. 2017 Littlefield had a trusty utility knife, and the door possessed a thin section of partitioning that could be pried up by the workings of a blade. — Paul Collins, BostonGlobe.com, "What lies in the lab: The gruesome murder at Harvard that transfixed New England," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'utility knife.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.