Cutting
ˈkʌtɪŋ
Definitions
3 meaningsThe act of using a sharp tool to divide, sever, or reduce something.
ˈkʌtɪŋ
The act of using a sharp object to divide or sever something.
The chef is cutting the bread for the sandwiches.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a piece of paper and you use scissors to separate it. That's cutting! You're dividing something into smaller parts.
👶 For kids: When you use scissors or a knife to make something smaller by splitting it.
More Examples
She's cutting a hole in the fabric to create a pattern.
The gardener is cutting back the overgrown bushes.
How It's Used
"He is cutting the vegetables into small pieces."
"They were cutting the wood with a saw."
Causing distress or pain; sharp or severe. Or: advanced and innovative.
ˈkʌtɪŋ
Sharp or incisive, often used in relation to words or comments.
He delivered a cutting response to the criticism.
💡 Simply: If someone says something that stings your feelings, like a sharp comment, that's a 'cutting' remark. It's like a knife going into the wound.
👶 For kids: When words or something that a person says is mean or hurts your feelings.
More Examples
The cutting cold wind made everyone shiver.
They are developing cutting-edge research in the medical field.
How It's Used
"She made a cutting remark about his performance."
"The company implemented a cutting-edge technology."
A piece or portion removed by cutting, often used in gardening or for articles.
ˈkʌtɪŋ
A piece that has been cut off from something larger.
She took a cutting from the plant to grow a new one.
💡 Simply: Like when you take a small piece of a plant to grow a new one, or a newspaper clipping! That's a cutting.
👶 For kids: A small piece that has been cut off from something bigger, like a piece of paper or a plant part.
More Examples
He saved the newspaper cutting as a memento.
The artist used a cutting to create the collage.
How It's Used
"The gardener took a cutting from the rose bush."
"She kept a cutting of the newspaper article."
Idioms & expressions
cutting corners
To do something in a way that saves time or money, but often at the expense of quality or safety.
"The company was accused of cutting corners in the construction of the building, which led to safety hazards."
cutting edge
The most advanced or innovative stage of development in a particular field or technology.
"They are working on cutting edge technology."
From Middle English *cutten*, from Old English *cyttan* (to cut), from Proto-Germanic *kuttijaną*, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeyt-* (to cut).
Historically, 'cutting' has always been associated with separation and division, with its meaning evolving from physical acts to more abstract concepts like sharp words. Early uses can be traced back to Old English texts.
Memory tip
Imagine a pair of scissors snip-snapping to remember this action.
Word Origin
"To cut"