cutter

noun

cut·​ter ˈkə-tər 

plural cutters

1

: one that cuts:

a

: one whose work is cutting or involves cutting

wood/glass cutters

b(1)

: an instrument, machine, machine part, or tool that cuts

(2)

: a device for vibrating a cutting stylus in disc recording

also : the stylus or its point

2

a

: a ship's boat for carrying stores or passengers

b

: a single-masted fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel

c

: a small armed vessel in government service

3

baseball : cut fastball

His previous three home runs had come on a fastball, a cutter and a slider.

—Billy Witz

4

: a light sleigh

5

: a person who cuts himself or herself purposely (see cut entry 1 sense 1f) : a person who engages in cutting

The cast includes Jill, a middle-class runaway in love with the romance of risk; Maura, a "cutter" who engages in self-mutilation to thwart her over-controlling father …

—Cecelia Goodnow

Synonyms

• blade
• knife
• shank [slang]
• shiv [slang]

Examples of cutter in a Sentence

a fabric cutter

Recent Examples on the Web

The officers stopped the vehicle and initiated an investigation, which led to the discovery of several burglary tools, including a handsaw, bolt cutters, and pry tools, scattered inside the car. —John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

This 10-in-1 multitool features a bottle opener, a cord cutter, three hex wrenches, and a screwdriver—and that’s just the beginning. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 13 Jan. 2025

The first big cutter, awarded in early 2019, was supposed to arrive in 2024, but the Department of Homeland Security only approved the start of construction of the first big icebreaker in the past month. —Craig Hooper, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Several kitchen tools, including knives, cutting boards and pizza cutters, had not been washed, rinsed or sanitized in the five hours since opening. —Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cutter

• box cutter
• cookie cutter
• cord cutter
• leaf-cutter
• milling cutter
• paper cutter
• price-cutter
• revenue cutter

Kids Definition

cutter

noun

cut·​ter ˈkət-ər 

1

: one that cuts

a diamond cutter

a cookie cutter

2

a

: a ship's boat for carrying supplies or passengers

b

: a small sailing boat with one mast

c

: a small armed boat in government service

3

: a small sleigh