cut
/kʌt/to break or divide something with a sharp tool, knife, or similar object. It can also mean to make a hole, shape, or opening by removing material.
- She cut the paper with scissors.
- The carpenter cut a new opening in the wall.
- Please cut the cake into eight pieces.
an act or result of cutting. It can also mean a wound, a reduction, or a shorter version of something.
- He got a small cut on his finger.
- The company announced staff cuts.
- This is the director's cut of the film.
- 1.
to reduce something, especially money, time, or size. It is often used in news, business, and everyday speech.
- They plan to cut costs this year.
- We cut the trip short.
- The school cut fees for some students.
- 2.
to stop, ignore, remove, or fail to include someone or something. It is also used in phrases like 'cut off' and 'cut out'.
- She cut him out of the photo.
- The phone line was cut off.
- I cut sugar from my tea.
Adinary Nuance
Cut is shorter, stronger, and more direct than words like slice, chop, or trim. Use slice for neat thin pieces, chop for rough pieces, and trim for removing small parts. Cut is the broadest word, so it works in many situations. It can also mean reduce, stop, or remove, which the others usually do not.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cắt
- Spanish
- cortar
- Chinese
- 切
- Japanese
- 切る
- Korean
- 자르다
Etymology
Old English cūtan and related Germanic forms gave English cut, a very old word used for making an opening or division. Its many modern meanings grew from this basic idea.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between cut and slice?
- Cut is the general word. Slice usually means making thin, neat pieces.
- Can cut mean reduce?
- Yes. People often say cut costs, cut spending, or cut time.
- Is cut formal or informal?
- It is very common in both speech and writing. Some phrase uses are more casual.
- What does cut off mean?
- It can mean to stop something, disconnect something, or separate something completely.