Word

cutting

noun C1

/ˈkʌtɪŋ/

Meanings

noun

the act or process of slicing or dividing something with a sharp tool

adjective

sharp, hurtful, or sarcastic in a way that causes offense

adjective

involving a reduction in amount, size, or spending

Definition

Cutting most often means related to slicing something with a sharp tool or the act of doing so.

Cutting refers to the action or process of slicing or dividing something with a knife, scissors, or another sharp tool. It can also describe speech, comments, or humor that feel sharp and hurtful. In addition, it can mean reducing something such as costs, time, or emissions.

Examples

The cutting of the herbs took longer than expected because I wanted the pieces perfectly even.
Her cutting remark shifted the mood instantly, and he fell silent rather than argue back.
They announced cutting travel costs by prioritizing video calls over short business trips.
Your cutting tone makes the feedback harder to accept, even when the points are valid.
Cutting the fabric on a flat surface helped her avoid uneven edges.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse cutting edge (innovative) with cutting-edge (hyphenated adjective) and incorrectly use it as a verb phrase.