cutup

[kuht-uhp]

noun

Informal.

1. a prankster or show-off.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutup¹

First recorded in 1775–85; noun use of verb phrase cut up

Example Sentences

A slightly awkward cutup, she betrays some of the same resistance that Louise has shown when thrust against her will into yet another inane kiddie act.

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She was the candid cutup they’d like to have on speed-dial.

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People dressed in all black wielding shields of cutup trash cans formed a barricade around the Quad to protect the encampment against possible counterprotesters.

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She’s fully aware of the disparity between the cutup she remembers from weekends and dinners and the perfectionist on set.

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The latest low-carb pasta alternative is hearts of palm, which are cutup strips of the cream-colored vegetable.

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When To Use

What does cutup mean?

Cutup is an informal word for someone who’s known for being a jokester or prankster—someone who’s funny and also probably a bit mischievous.Example: Jane is all business at the office but she’s a real cutup at parties—she’s so funny!Less commonly, the noun cutup (especially when it’s hyphenated as cut-up) refers to an artwork composed from the arrangement of other separate pieces, especially a poem constructed from other works. This can also be called a cut-up poem. Such a work can be created with what’s called the cut-up technique.The phrasal verb cut up has several different meanings, including, most straightforwardly, to cut something into smaller pieces. This sense of the phrase is sometimes used in the form of an adjective, in which case it’s hyphenated, as in I always pack some cut-up fruit in the kids’ lunches.