cutting

[kuht-ing]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that cuts.

2. something cut, cut off, or cut out.

3. Horticulture.,  a piece, as a root, stem, or leaf, cut from a plant and used for propagation.

4. something made by cutting, as a recording.

5. a form of repetitive self-injury in which a person deliberately cuts the skin, as to cope with stress or negative emotions.

6. Manège.

   1. the removal of a specific animal from a herd of cattle, as performed by a ranch horse.

   2. a competitive exhibition in which horses demonstrate this skill.

7. Chiefly British.,  a clipping from a newspaper, magazine, etc.

8. British.,  a trenchlike excavation, especially through a hill, as one made in constructing a highway.

adjective

1. able to cut or slice.

   a cutting blade.

2. piercing, as a wind.

3. wounding the feelings severely; sarcastic.

   Synonyms: sardonic, acid, mordant, biting, caustic

4. Manège.,  relating to or noting a horse bred or trained for the ranching task of separating a specific animal from a herd of cattle, or the competitive exhibition of this skill: The last day of the rodeo was dedicated to the cutting competition and barrel racing finals.

   Champion cutting horses are bred for agility.

   The last day of the rodeo was dedicated to the cutting competition and barrel racing finals.

cutting

/ ˈkʌtɪŋ /

noun

1. a piece cut off from the main part of something

2. horticulture

   1. a method of vegetative propagation in which a part of a plant, such as a stem or leaf, is induced to form its own roots

   2. a part separated for this purpose

3. Also called (esp US and Canadian): clipping. an article, photograph, etc, cut from a newspaper or other publication

4. the editing process by which a film is cut and made

5. an excavation in a piece of high land for a road, railway, etc, enabling it to remain at approximately the same level

6. informal,  sharp-wittedness

   there is no cutting in him

7. (modifier) designed for or adapted to cutting; edged; sharp

   a cutting tool

adjective

1. keen; piercing

   a cutting wind

2. tending to hurt the feelings

   a cutting remark

Other Word Forms

• cuttingly adverb
• cuttingness noun
• noncutting adjective
• self-cutting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutting¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; cut, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

In the current climate of corporate cost cutting, businesses are eager to maximize the impact of every advertising dollar, which presents an advantage for technology companies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In recent days and weeks, many lenders have been cutting the interest rates on their new, fixed deals as they compete for custom, and in anticipation of future central bank rate cuts.

Read more on BBC

BMW is doing its work on cost cutting and is managing to offset volume and pricing headwinds through cost savings, they add.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Many people have too much of their employer’s stock in their portfolio, and a financial adviser may suggest a different savings and investment strategy to bolster long-term growth while cutting risk.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The market’s jitters are being exacerbated by concerns about the Fed’s willingness to keep cutting rates amid a lack of economic data caused by the government shutdown.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• acerbic 
• barbed 
• biting 
• caustic 
• piercing 
• pointed 
• sarcastic 
• sardonic 
• scathing 
• stinging www.thesaurus.com
• trenchant