cuts; cut; cutting
1
a
: to use a sharp tool (such as a knife) to open or divide (something, such as paper or wood)
Cut the paper along/on the dotted line (with a pair of scissors).
cutting a piece of string
He uses the ax to cut wood.
The meat is so tender you can cut it with a fork.
—sometimes used figurativelyThe excitement/tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. [=there was a lot of excitement/tension in the room]
Cut along/on the dotted line.
The saw easily cuts through metal.
She cut into the melon with a knife.
b
: to make a hole or wound in (a person's skin)
I cut myself while shaving.
I cut my finger on a sharp piece of metal. = A sharp piece of metal cut me (on the finger).
I had a cut finger.
We were fighting, and he tried to cut me with his knife.
Pieces of broken glass cut her face and arms.
He fell and cut his head open on a sharp rock.
c
: to make (a hole) in something by using a sharp tool
They cut a hole in the wall for the new window.
Doctors begin by cutting a small incision in the chest.
Cut several slits in the top of the crust to allow air to escape.
d
: to divide or separate parts of (something) by using a sharp tool
It's time to cut [=slice] the cake!
I'll cut the apple in half so you both can have some.
Would you cut me a slice of bread? = Would you cut a slice of bread for me?
—often + intoAdd one large onion that has been cut into one-inch pieces.
The chicken is cut into long strips and served on top of the salad.
—often + fromHer walls were covered with pictures cut from magazines.
a piece of meat that is cut from the hind end of the animal
—often + offShe was cutting off pieces of watermelon and giving them to the children.
2
a
: to be able to cut something
This knife doesn't cut well.
b
: to be able to be cut
Aluminum foil cuts easily with scissors.
3
: to make (hair, grass, etc.) shorter by using a sharp tool (such as scissors)
I cut my hair short for the summer.
Where'd you get your hair cut?
I need to cut [=trim] my nails; they're way too long.
She keeps her nails cut short.
The grass in our yard needs to be cut. [=mowed]
the smell of fresh-cut grass
The wood is already cut to size/length. [=it has already been cut so that it is the proper size/length]
4
a
: to give (hair or clothing) a certain style by cutting it
—usually used as (be) cut
Her hair is light brown and cut in a short bob.
She was wearing a dress that was cut low at the neck. [=she was wearing a low-cut dress]
b
: to give (something) a new shape by using a sharp tool
a beautifully cut diamond
5
: to make or form (something) by cutting or removing material
We all cut [=carved] our names on/into the tree.
The stream cuts a path through the woods.
builders cutting new roads in the forest
—often + outAt the center of the table was a statue cut out of ice.
6
: to make the amount of (something) smaller : reduce
Our benefits were recently cut at work.
The drug has been shown to cut the risk of heart attack by half.
In just three years, the mayor has cut the city's crime in half.
The President has promised to cut government spending.
Cutting taxes can have positive and negative effects on the economy.
measures that are designed to cut costs = cost-cutting measures
The company's expenses had been cut to the bone. [=reduced to their lowest possible amount]
—often + offThis route can cut as much as five minutes off your driving time.
Drug abuse cut many years off (of) his life. [=shortened his life by many years]
We've cut 20 percent off the regular retail price.
7
a
: to make (a book, film, etc.) shorter by removing parts
His article was cut [=shortened] by about 500 words.
The movie had to be cut because it was too long.
b
: to remove (something) from a book, film, etc.
The movie's director decided to cut [=cut out, omit] my part.
—often + fromThe director cut the scene from the final version of the film.
They decided to cut her report from the newscast.
About 500 words were cut from his article.
8
: to remove (something) from a computer document in a way that allows you to move it to another part of the document or to another document
After you select the text with your mouse, you can cut it and then paste it at the beginning of the paragraph.
You can cut and paste the picture into your file.
9
: to remove (a plant or part of a plant) by cutting it
It's illegal to cut [=cut down] trees in this forest.
We'll start cutting and harvesting the wheat next week.
Note: A cut flower is a flower that has been cut off the plant that it grew on.
10
: to cause (something) to no longer be connected
The enemy has cut [=severed] our supply lines.
He wanted to cut all ties with his past and start a new life.
11
: to allow (someone or something) to be free, loose, etc., by cutting something that stops movement
They were trapped inside the crushed car and had to be cut free. = They had to be cut from the car.
The boat was cut loose from the pier and allowed to drift away.
12
: to remove (someone) from a team, organization, etc.
I was on the team for two weeks before I got cut.
—often + fromThe coach cut two players from the team.
The band was cut from the show at the last minute.
13
: to divide (a pack of cards) into two piles
You cut the deck and I'll deal.
You cut and I'll deal.
14
: to divide (an area of land) into two parts
The river cuts the city in half.
The mountain ridges are cut by deep valleys.
15
: to move or go across or through something
Let's take a shortcut and cut across this field.
We cut through the park on our way home.
The boundary line between the two countries cuts directly through the group's traditional homeland.
—often used figuratively to describe something that is not limited in the usual wayNational security is an issue that cuts across party lines. [=an issue that is important to both political parties]
Child abuse cuts across all economic and racial lines/boundaries. [=it occurs in all economic and racial groups]
Her academic interests cut across [=involve or relate to] many disciplines.
16
a
: to move quickly
a fast ship cutting through the waves
b
: to move suddenly in a different direction
The driver cut across three lanes of traffic to get to his exit and nearly caused an accident.
(American football) The runner cut to his left to avoid being tackled.
17
: to move in front of other people in a line
That guy cut to the head of the line.
She cut in front of us. = She cut ahead of us.
—often + inOur friends let us cut in in front of them.
Celebrities are allowed to cut in line at popular restaurants.
Hey, no cutting (in line)!
18
chiefly US
: to not go to (school or a class) when you should go to it
We used to cut [=skip] school together and hang out at the beach.
She would take notes for me when I cut class.
19
informal
: to record (a song, album, etc.)
She's in the studio cutting a new track/song for her next album.
Elvis Presley cut his first record in 1954.
20
: to suddenly move from one image or scene to another in a movie, television program, etc.
The movie cuts quickly from one scene to the next.
The camera cut back to the actor's face.
To explain the present situation, the film cuts back to the hero's childhood.
—often + awayThey quickly cut away to the announcer when he appeared on stage.
21
: to stop filming a scene in a movie or television show
—usually used as a command
"Cut!" yelled the director.
22
: to stop saying or doing (foolish or annoying things)
—usually used in phrases like cut the nonsense and (less politely) cut the crap
Let's cut the nonsense and get down to business.
Cut the crap, Jen! I know you're lying.
23
: to stop (a motor) by moving a switch
We cut the engine and drifted into shore.
I parked and cut the ignition.
—often + offThe pilot cut off the engine after the plane had come to a stop.
24
: to go to or deal with something in a very direct way
—usually + to
Her question cut to the heart of the issue.
This research cuts to the very core of who we are as human beings.
Let me cut to the real reason why I'm here.
25
: to cause painful feelings or emotions
His words cut deeply.
The disappointment cut like a knife.
His harsh words cut me very deeply.
She was cut to the quick [=she was very badly hurt] by their insults.
26
a
US
: to make (alcohol) less strong by adding water or another liquid
They cut [=diluted] the wine with water.
b
: to make (a drug, such as heroin) less strong by mixing it with another substance
The substance is used to cut cocaine.
27
: to cause (dirt, grease, etc.) to break apart and be removed
soap that cuts grease and grime
plural cuts
1
a
: an opening or hole made with a sharp tool (such as a knife)
Make a few small cuts in the crust to let the air escape.
a two-inch cut in the cloth
b
: a wound on a person's body that is made by something sharp
She had a small cut [=gash] above her left eye.
He came home covered in cuts and bruises.
a deep/superficial cut
a paper cut [=a cut made by the edge of a piece of paper]
2
: an act of making something smaller in amount : reduction
Further cuts in spending are needed.
He had to accept a cut in pay. = He had to accept a pay cut.
a tax cut
3
: the act of removing something from a book, movie, etc.
You'll have to make a few cuts in your manuscript if you want us to publish it.
4
: a version of a movie at a particular stage of being edited
Fortunately, that scene didn't make the film's final cut. [=that scene did not appear in the final version of the film]
I saw a rough cut [=a version that is not yet finished] of the movie.
a director's cut [=a special version of a movie that is created by the director and that usually includes scenes that are not included in other versions]
5
: a song on a record, tape, or CD
We listened to the same cut [=track] over and over.
6
: the shape and style of a piece of clothing
the cut of his pants
7
: the act or result of cutting someone's hair : haircut
I had a shampoo and a cut.
8
: a piece of meat that is cut from a particular part of an animal's body
a thick/tender/expensive cut of meat
9
: a part of something that is divided and shared among people
—usually singular
We each got a cut [=share] of the profits.
10
: the act of reducing the size of a group (such as a group of competitors) by removing the ones that are not good enough or that have not done well enough
—usually used with make or miss
He has to birdie the last hole in order to make the cut. [=in order to have a score that is low enough to be among the players allowed to continue playing]
If he doesn't birdie this hole, he'll miss the cut.
Only the best players are good enough to make the cut when the team is being chosen.
Cite this Entry
“Cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/cut. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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