utility knife

American

[yoo-til-i-tee nahyf] / yuˈtɪl ɪ ti ˌnaɪf /

noun

plural

utility knives

any of various knives, often with a retractable, replaceable razorlike blade, used for a variety of cutting, scraping, or scoring work.

The crafts department sells a fully equipped tool kit, complete with all the sizes of utility knives that you’re looking for.

Etymology

Origin of utility knife

First recorded in 1900–05

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.

Working on a thick sheet of glass, she uses the blade from a utility knife to work the glue into the paper and smooths it out on the surface with her fingertips.

From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025

Keep a box with these essential basics: a tape measure, claw hammer, utility knife, level, crescent wrenches, hex keys, a handsaw, pliers, multiple screwdrivers and a collection of screws and nails.

From Seattle Times • May 29, 2023

He also got rid of the blade he used on his utility knife.

From New York Times • Aug. 5, 2022

Place the tile on a cutting board and trim that edge, using a ruler and utility knife with a new blade.

From Washington Post • Mar. 14, 2022

He took from his pocket a general utility knife and slipped out a thin steel needle.

From The Secret House by Wallace, Edgar

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023