cut·out
ˈkət-ˌau̇t 
1
: something cut out or off from something else
also
: the space or hole left after cutting
2
: one that cuts out
3
: an intermediary in a clandestine operation
4
: a record album no longer in production that is sold at a discount
cutout
adjective
cut out; cutting out; cuts out
1
: to form by erosion
2
: to determine or assign through necessity
you've got your work cut out for you
3
: to take the place of : supplant
4
: to put an end to : desist from
cut out wasteful spending
6
a
: to remove from a series or circuit : disconnect
cut out a car from a train
b
: to make inoperative
: naturally fitted or suited
not cut out to be a vet
Synonyms
Examples of cutout in a Sentence
Noun
a cardboard cutout of a famous actor
Verb
the engine abruptly cut out
now cut that out, or I'm turning this car around!
Recent Examples on the Web
Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
The outer layer of the Simple Life star's all-black Mugler ensemble was mostly cutouts, giving it a structured, cagelike look.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024
The onyx has been meticulously crafted three-dimensionally, taking into account the asymmetrical cutout for the tourbillon and the technical requirements of the movement plate below.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2024
Great for active girls, the mesh cutouts and super soft fabric provide great breathability and comfort.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
His office, like the rest of his home, was adorned with souvenirs, framed awards and cutouts of his features in magazines.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
But Cal, unlike French’s other investigators, is a burly cutout where a person should be.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024
But in October 2023, the Journal revealed that Near had once provided data to the US military via a maze of obscure marketing companies, cutouts, and conduits to defense contractors.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Additional details like a finished edge, custom cutouts for a sink, and waterproofing can incur extra fees, though sealing is a job many homeowners do on their own.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
David Goldman, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Back in New York, organizers pushing for the internal election have their work cut out for them.
—Haleluya Hadero, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
The surgery consisted of her surgeon reopening her original scar to clean it in order to prevent any infections and to replace the bone that was initially cut out of her skull.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
There’s no specific diet for Crohn’s disease, but some people feel better and have fewer symptoms after cutting out certain foods.
—Toby Amidor, Rd, Health, 23 Mar. 2024
Indeed, even nearly a century later, the perception that women aren’t cut out for aviation persists.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Katie Hobbs says regents, UA leadership have their work cut out for them
Hannah Dreyfus is an investigative reporter for The Arizona Republic.
—Hannah Dreyfus, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
Now, Mollenkopf has his work cut out for him: quickly recruiting a new CEO capable of fixing the company, mollifying shareholders who may become frustrated by Calhoun’s lame duck period, and bringing the board along with him without reproducing the result of the last search.
—Joe Moglia, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Some recipes call for a mix of buttermilk and egg for the middle step, but using the same milk as for the gravy cuts out an extraneous ingredient.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
Noun
Standout looks have included a 1995 Mugler robot suit with daring cutouts and matching jumpsuits with costar Timothée Chalamet.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
The outer layer of the Simple Life star's all-black Mugler ensemble was mostly cutouts, giving it a structured, cagelike look.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024
The onyx has been meticulously crafted three-dimensionally, taking into account the asymmetrical cutout for the tourbillon and the technical requirements of the movement plate below.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2024
Great for active girls, the mesh cutouts and super soft fabric provide great breathability and comfort.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
His office, like the rest of his home, was adorned with souvenirs, framed awards and cutouts of his features in magazines.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
But Cal, unlike French’s other investigators, is a burly cutout where a person should be.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024
But in October 2023, the Journal revealed that Near had once provided data to the US military via a maze of obscure marketing companies, cutouts, and conduits to defense contractors.
—Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Additional details like a finished edge, custom cutouts for a sink, and waterproofing can incur extra fees, though sealing is a job many homeowners do on their own.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
With new leadership on its way, Boeing’s future top brass have their work cut out for them.
—David Goldman, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Back in New York, organizers pushing for the internal election have their work cut out for them.
—Haleluya Hadero, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
The surgery consisted of her surgeon reopening her original scar to clean it in order to prevent any infections and to replace the bone that was initially cut out of her skull.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
There’s no specific diet for Crohn’s disease, but some people feel better and have fewer symptoms after cutting out certain foods.
—Toby Amidor, Rd, Health, 23 Mar. 2024
Indeed, even nearly a century later, the perception that women aren’t cut out for aviation persists.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Katie Hobbs says regents, UA leadership have their work cut out for them
Hannah Dreyfus is an investigative reporter for The Arizona Republic.
—Hannah Dreyfus, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
Now, Mollenkopf has his work cut out for him: quickly recruiting a new CEO capable of fixing the company, mollifying shareholders who may become frustrated by Calhoun’s lame duck period, and bringing the board along with him without reproducing the result of the last search.
—Joe Moglia, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Some recipes call for a mix of buttermilk and egg for the middle step, but using the same milk as for the gravy cuts out an extraneous ingredient.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cutout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cutout
Cite this Entry
“Cutout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutout. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cutout
1 of 3 noun
cut·out
ˈkət-ˌau̇t
: something cut out or off from something else
cutout
adjective
cut out
2 of 3 verb1
: to assign through necessity
you've got your work cut out for you
2
: to put an end to
now cut that out
3
: to come to a stop
the engines cut out
cut out
3 of 3 adjective
: naturally suited
not cut out for teaching
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