utility knife

American  

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

noun

utility knives plural

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• utility knives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of utility knife

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

utility knife

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

A utility knife with retractable and replaceable blades can cut through thick materials, including cardboard, rope, foam rubber, heavy tape and more.

From Washington Post ● May 24, 2022

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

From The Secret House by Wallace, Edgar