cutting

1 of 2

noun

cut·​ting ˈkə-tiŋ How to pronounce cutting (audio)
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
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 adverb

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutting was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cutting

Cite this Entry

“Cutting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutting. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cutting

1 of 2 noun
cut·​ting ˈkət-iŋ How to pronounce cutting (audio)
: 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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on cutting

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