1
: cut so that the surface or edge is smooth and even
2
: sharply defined
3
: of wholesome appearance

Examples of clean-cut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jost is clean-cut and buttoned-up; Sherman is young and hip. Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025 What keeps us from reaching our richest selves, however, isn’t as clean-cut. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025 What keeps us from reaching our richest selves, however, isn’t as clean-cut. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025 Everything was clean-cut, form-fitting and streamlined. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clean-cut

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clean-cut was in 1843

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Cite this Entry

“Clean-cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clean-cut. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

clean-cut

adjective
ˈklēn-ˈkət
: neat and wholesome looking

More from Merriam-Webster on clean-cut

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