A1verbhigh_frequency_chunk

Cut

UK /["/kʌt/","/kʌts/","/ˈkʌtɪŋ/"]/US /["/kʌt/","/kʌts/","/ˈkʌtɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to make an opening or a wound in something, especially with a sharp tool such as a knife or scissors

In simple words: To use a sharp tool to make something separate into pieces.

Examples

  • Please cut the paper along the dotted line.
  • I need to cut some fruit for the salad.
  • The director decided to cut the scene from the film.
  • The gardener will cut the bushes this weekend.
  • She decided to cut her hair short for the summer.
  • Be careful not to cut yourself with that knife.
  • They need to cut the budget for the project.
  • He wants to cut back on his spending.
  • We will cut the cake after dinner.

Usage notes

Use 'cut' in everyday situations related to slicing or dividing. It's appropriate in both casual and professional contexts, but be careful not to use it in overly formal writing.

Grammar pattern

cut + object

Memory hint

Think of cutting a cake — it’s easy to remember because it involves slicing.

Collocations

  • thick
  • thinly
  • cleanly
  • from
  • into
  • off
  • cut and paste
  • cut somebody/​something free
  • cut somebody/​something loose
  • thick
  • thinly
  • cleanly
  • from
  • into
  • off
  • cut and paste
  • cut somebody/​something free
  • cut somebody/​something loose
  • thick
  • thinly
  • cleanly
  • from
  • into
  • off
  • cut and paste
  • cut somebody/​something free
  • cut somebody/​something loose
  • thick
  • thinly
  • cleanly
  • from
  • into
  • off
  • cut and paste
  • cut somebody/​something free
  • cut somebody/​something loose
  • thick
  • thinly
  • cleanly
  • from
  • into
  • off
  • cut and paste
  • cut somebody/​something free
  • cut somebody/​something loose
  • considerably
  • dramatically
  • drastically
  • try to
  • manage to
  • be forced to
  • by
  • from
  • to
  • thick
  • thinly
  • cleanly
  • from
  • into
  • off
  • cut and paste
  • cut somebody/​something free
  • cut somebody/​something loose
  • thick
  • thinly
  • cleanly
  • from
  • into
  • off
  • cut and paste
  • cut somebody/​something free
  • cut somebody/​something loose

Synonyms

  • slice
  • chop
  • sever
  • divide
  • cleave

Antonyms

  • join
  • combine
  • attach

Common mistakes

  • 'Cutting' as a noun incorrectly (e.g. 'I will do a cut).
  • Confusing 'cut' with 'cut off' (which has a different meaning).
  • Using 'cut' with non-physical objects (e.g. 'cut a conversation' should be avoided).