cutting

1 of 2

noun

cut·​ting ˈkə-tiŋ 

plural cuttings

1

: something cut or cut off or out: such as

a

: a plant section originating from stem, leaf, or root and capable of developing into a new plant

b

: harvest

2

: something made by cutting

especially : record sense 4

3

: self-harm in which a person purposely cuts or scratches the skin

She [a young woman identified as "Kristen"] took occasional advantage of college-offered therapy in her sophomore year but also continued to cut herself. "For me—and for all the other cutters I know—cutting isn't about self-esteem, it's about control," Kristin explained. "… Cutting can be—and was for me—a cry for help: 'Look at me—I hurt so much I'm bleeding—help me stop this pain!'

—Barrett Seaman

cutting

2 of 2

adjective

1

: given to or designed for cutting

especially : sharp, edged

2

: marked by sharp piercing cold

cutting winds

3

: inclined or likely to wound the feelings of others especially because of a ruthless incisiveness

a cutting remark

4

: intense, piercing

a cutting pain

cuttingly

ˈkə-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Noun

• cut
• slice

Adjective

• biting
• bitter
• keen
• penetrating
• piercing
• raw
• sharp
• shrewd
• smarting
• stinging

Examples of cutting in a Sentence

Noun

Take some cuttings from the plant and put them in water.

a bag full of grass cuttings

Adjective

He made a cutting remark about my family, and I haven't spoken to him since.

a frigid day with a cutting wind that made it seem even colder

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cutting

• clear-cutting
• cord cutting
• cost cutting
• cutting board
• cutting edge
• cutting horse
• cutting room
• on the cutting-room floor
• press cutting

Kids Definition

cutting

1 of 2 noun

cut·​ting ˈkət-iŋ 

: something cut or cut off or out

especially : a section of a plant capable of developing into a new individual

cutting

2 of 2 adjective

1

: designed for cutting : sharp

a cutting blade

2

: marked by piercing cold

a cutting wind

3

: likely to hurt the feelings of others

cutting remarks

cuttingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb