modern cut: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral to informal; very common across all registers.
Quick answer
What does “modern cut” mean?
To make an opening, incision, or separation using a sharp tool.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make an opening, incision, or separation using a sharp tool; to divide or remove part of something.
1) To reduce in amount, size, or duration (e.g., cut costs, cut a film). 2) To shape or form by removing material (e.g., cut a diamond, cut hair). 3) To stop or interrupt (e.g., cut the power, cut in line). 4) In computing, to remove selected data for pasting elsewhere. 5) In film, to transition abruptly from one scene to another.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Cut' as a noun for a share/profit (e.g., 'He took a cut of the earnings') is slightly more informal in BrE. The phrasal verb 'cut out for' (suited for) is more common in AmE.
Connotations
Similar in both dialects. Associated with decisiveness, efficiency, and sometimes with reduction or loss.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “modern cut” in a Sentence
SVO (He cut the rope.)SVOO (Cut me a slice.)SVOC (She cut her hair short.)SVA (The knife cuts easily.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “modern cut” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government plans to cut funding for the arts.
- He cut his knee playing football.
- Shall I cut you a piece of this Victoria sponge?
American English
- The studio cut three scenes from the final edit.
- She cut her hair really short for summer.
- Can you cut me a break? I need more time.
adverb
British English
- The play was cut short by a fire alarm.
- He went cut-price shopping.
American English
- The movie cut abruptly to a new scene.
- She buys cut-rate software online.
adjective
British English
- He showed me a cut glass vase.
- They're selling cut flowers on the high street.
American English
- She bought a cut diamond for the engagement ring.
- Use the cut lemons for the recipe.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The board decided to cut overheads by 15%.'
Academic
'The study was criticised, leading the author to cut several controversial sections.'
Everyday
'Can you cut the onions for the salad?'
Technical
'The geologist examined the rock cut made by the glacier.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “modern cut”
- *I cutted my hand. (Correct: I cut my hand.)
- *She cut the paper by scissors. (Correct: She cut the paper with scissors.)
- Confusing 'cut down' (reduce) with 'cut down' (fell a tree).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Its forms are: cut (base), cut (past simple), cut (past participle).
'Cut down' often means to fell a tree or kill. 'Cut back' and 'cut down on' both mean to reduce, but 'cut down on' is usually followed by an activity or consumption (e.g., cut down on sugar). 'Cut back' can be used more generally (e.g., cut back spending).
Yes, frequently. It can mean: 1) a wound (a deep cut), 2) a reduction (a cut in salary), 3) a share (his cut of the profit), 4) a style (the cut of a suit), 5) an editing transition in film.
It means 'to be good enough' or 'to meet a required standard'. (e.g., 'His performance just didn't cut it.')
To make an opening, incision, or separation using a sharp tool.
Modern cut: in British English it is pronounced /kʌt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kʌt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cut corners”
- “cut to the chase”
- “cut someone some slack”
- “cut the mustard”
- “cut it fine”
- “cut from the same cloth”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a large cake (CUT) with a big slice missing - you CUT a piece.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOTION (cutting creates a new state/separation); REDUCTION IS CUTTING (cutting removes a part).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'cut' mean 'to intentionally not attend'?