cut
cut
(kʌt )Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense cuts , present participle cutting language note: The form cut is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.
1. verb
If you cut something, you use a knife or a similar tool to divide it into pieces, or to mark it or damage it. If you cut a shape or a hole in something, you make the shape or hole by using a knife or similar tool.
Mrs. Haines stood nearby, holding scissors to cut a ribbon. [VERB noun]
Cut the tomatoes in half vertically. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
The thieves cut a hole in the fence. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Mr. Long was now cutting himself a piece of the pink cake. [VERB noun noun]
You can hear the saw as it cuts through the bones. [VERB + through]
...thinly-cut cucumber sandwiches. [VERB-ed]
carve, sliceCut is also a noun.
The operation involves making several cuts in the cornea. [+ in]
2. verb
If you cut yourself or cut a part of your body, you accidentally injure yourself on a sharp object so that you bleed.
Johnson cut himself shaving. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
I started to cry because I cut my finger. [VERB noun]
Zoe was badly cut as she scrambled down rocks to reach him. [VERB noun]
Blood from his cut lip trickled over his chin. [VERB-ed]
Cut is also a noun.
He had sustained a cut on his left eyebrow. [+ on]
...cuts and bruises.
3. verb
If you cut something such as grass, your hair, or your fingernails, you shorten them using scissors or another tool.
The most recent tenants hadn't even cut the grass. [VERB noun]
You have to learn not to cut your toenails in the living room. [VERB noun]
You've had your hair cut, it looks great. [have noun VERB-ed]
She had dark red hair, cut short. [VERB-ed]
clip, mow, trim, dock, prune, snip, pare, lopCut is also a noun.
Prices vary from salon to salon, starting at £17 for a cut and blow-dry.
4. verb [usually passive]
The way that clothes are cut is the way they are designed and made.
...badly-cut blue suits. [VERB-ed]
5. verb
To cut through something means to move or pass through it easily.
I could see long canoes cutting through the waves. [VERB through noun]
6. verb
If you cut across or through a place, you go through it because it is the shortest route to another place.
He decided to cut across the Heath, through Greenwich Park. [V + across/through]
7. See also short cut
8. verb
If you cut something, you reduce it.
The first priority is to cut costs. [VERB noun]
The U.N. force is to be cut by 90%. [be VERB-ed + by]
...a deal to cut 50 billion dollars from the federal deficit. [V amount + from/off]
reduce, lower, slim (down), diminish, slash, decrease, cut back, rationalize, ease up on, downsize, kennet [Australian, slang], jeff [Australian, slang]Cut is also a noun.
The economy needs an immediate 2 per cent cut in interest rates. [+ in]
...the government's plans for tax cuts.
9. verb
If you cut a text, broadcast, or performance, you shorten it. If you cut a part of a text, broadcast, or performance, you do not publish, broadcast, or perform that part.
Branagh has cut the play judiciously. [VERB noun]
The audience wants more music and less drama, so we've cut some scenes. [VERB noun]
delete, take out, excise, edit out, expurgateCut is also a noun.
It has been found necessary to make some cuts in the text. [+ in]
10. verb
To cut a supply of something means to stop providing it or stop it being provided.
They used pressure tactics to force them to return, including cutting food and water supplies. [VERB noun]
stop, suspend, interrupt, discontinueCut is also a noun.
The strike had already led to cuts in electricity and water supplies in many areas. [+ in]
11. verb
If you cut a pack of playing cards, you divide it into two.
Place the cards face down on the table and cut them. [VERB noun]
12. convention
13. verb
When a singer or band cuts a CD, they make a recording of their music.
She eventually cut her own album. [VERB noun]
14. verb
When a child cuts a tooth, a new tooth starts to grow through the gum.
Many infants do not cut their first tooth until they are a year old. [VERB noun]
15. verb
If a child cuts classes or cuts school, they do not go to classes or to school when they are supposed to.
[mainly US]Cutting school more than once in three months is a sign of trouble. [VERB noun]
16. verb
If you tell someone to cut something, you are telling them in an irritated way to stop it.
[mainly US, informal, feelings]'Cut the euphemisms, Daniel,' Brenda snapped. [VERB noun]
Why don't you just cut the crap and open the door. [VERB noun]
17. countable noun
A cut of meat is a piece or type of meat which is cut in a particular way from the animal, or from a particular part of it.
Use a cheap cut such as spare rib chops.
18. singular noun [oft poss NOUN]
19. countable noun
A cut is a narrow valley which has been cut through a hill so that a road or railroad track can pass through.
[US]regional note: in BRIT, use cutting20. See also cutting
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30. to cut corners
