deep cut

noun

plural deep cuts
1
music : a song that is considerably less popular and well-known than other songs on the same album or by the same artist
From there, the band careened through highlights and the occasional deep cut from its catalog …Mikael Wood
But the rocker saw an opportunity to turn casual fans on to his deep cuts—so each disc intersperses hits with lesser-known album tracks in non-chronological order.David Browne
2
: something (such as an obscure reference to a book or movie) that is recognizable to devotees but not usually to others
One of the fun things about being a Marvel fan is the franchise's ability to constantly surprise its audience with comic book deep cuts, surprising castings, and twists that no one sees coming.Alexis Nedd
deep-cut adjective
a deep-cut reference/joke

Examples of deep cut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lewis later told reporters that the management plan presented by the three Lower Basin states involves deep cuts at the lower levels of reservoir storage, which the river seems likely to reach. The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2024 Like Bonnie and Clyde, Barbie taps into escapist nostalgia; one of the pleasures of the movie, as well as the publicity tour, was recognizing deep cuts from the doll’s 65-year fashion history. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2024 This is a deep cut: Abraham Lincoln pardoned Biden's ancestor. USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Cody listened to Hole’s seminal 1994 album Live Through This while writing the script for Jennifer’s Body, even naming the film about a deep cut. Keaton Bell, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2024 This freaky incident left her with a deep cut between her fingers that required stitches, according to Bailey. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 25 Jan. 2024 There’s a Paramore connection to the track, as SZA sought out Hayley Williams’ approval on her switching lanes prior to the SOS deep cut’s arrival. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2024 There are plenty more deep cuts throughout the season, including the return of Rom (Max Grodenchik) and Leeta (Chase Masterson) from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 29 Dec. 2023 Much to the pleasure of fashion fans, the press tour was also rife with deep cuts. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deep cut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deep cut was in 1993

Dictionary Entries Near deep cut

Cite this Entry

“Deep cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deep%20cut. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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