cutter

noun

cut·​ter ˈkə-tər How to pronounce cutter (audio)
plural cutters
1
: one that cuts:
a
: one whose work is cutting or involves cutting
wood/glass cutters
b(1)
: an instrument, machine, machine part, or tool that cuts
(2)
: a device for vibrating a cutting stylus in disc recording
also : the stylus or its point
2
a
: a ship's boat for carrying stores or passengers
b
: a single-masted fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel
c
: a small armed vessel in government service
3
baseball : cut fastball
His previous three home runs had come on a fastball, a cutter and a slider.Billy Witz
4
: a light sleigh
5
: a person who cuts himself or herself purposely (see cut entry 1 sense 1f) : a person who engages in cutting
The cast includes Jill, a middle-class runaway in love with the romance of risk; Maura, a "cutter" who engages in self-mutilation to thwart her over-controlling father …Cecelia Goodnow

Examples of cutter in a Sentence

a fabric cutter
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.
Instead, Priester left a cutter over the heart of the plate and Crow-Armstrong pulled it on a line to right. Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 Behind your curious browsing is one bobbed and bleary-eyed writer searching for the best October Prime Day deals with a ferocity known only to coupon-cutters. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 The Taiwanese cutter sailed parallel to their path about 29 nautical miles (33 miles) south of Pratas Island, repeatedly broadcasting warnings to leave the area, according to the statement. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025 And then Clase struck out Trey Sweeney with a 101 mph cutter. Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cutter

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutter was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutter. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

cutter

noun
cut·​ter ˈkət-ər How to pronounce cutter (audio)
1
: one that cuts
a diamond cutter
a cookie cutter
2
a
: a ship's boat for carrying supplies or passengers
b
: a small sailing boat with one mast
c
: a small armed boat in government service
3
: a small sleigh

More from Merriam-Webster on cutter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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