cutback
Americannoun
-
a reduction in rate, quantity, etc..
a cutback in production.
-
a return in the course of a story, motion picture, etc., to earlier events.
-
Football. a play in which the ball-carrier abruptly reverses direction, especially by starting to make an end run and then turning suddenly to run toward the middle of the line.
-
a maneuver in surfing of heading the surfboard back toward a wave's crest.
noun
-
a decrease or reduction
-
another word (esp US) for flashback
verb
-
(tr) to shorten by cutting off the end; prune
-
to reduce or make a reduction (in)
-
(intr) (in films) to show an event that took place earlier in the narrative; flash back
Etymology
Origin of cutback
First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase cut back
Explanation
A cutback is a decrease in something, usually money. A state cutback in funding for education might result in larger classes and fewer field trips. During difficult economic times, money is scarce and cutbacks are almost inevitable. If your parents are having money troubles, there may be cutbacks in your allowance, and when state governments suffer, there are often cutbacks in aid for schools, roads, and people in need. In news reports, you'll often hear phrases like "cutbacks in defense spending" or "cutbacks in overtime pay."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It would also continue to block new adult applications, a cutback imposed last year.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
The first chance of the opening half fell to Diallo, who fired wide after connecting with a cutback.
From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025
Set ‘a cutback goal’ of 10% to 20% for this year, and put the difference in an investment account.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 26, 2025
The Australian then went for the inside in the hope of getting the cutback on Norris, but in doing so his left rear wheel caught the right front of Hulkenberg's car.
From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025
In July 1944, General Groves told Arthur Compton to plan a personnel cutback of as much as 75 percent by September 1.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
