2 ADJ If you describe someone as cute , you think they are sexually attractive. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ There was this girl, and I thought she was really cute.
3 ADJ If you describe someone as cute , you mean that they deal with things cleverly. [AM ] □ That's a cute trick.
cute|sy /kjuː tsi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone or something as cutesy , you dislike them because you think they are unpleasantly pretty and sentimental. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …cutesy paintings of owls.
cu t gla ss also cut-glass N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Cut glass is glass that has patterns cut into its surface. □ …a cut-glass bowl.
cu|ti|cle /kjuː t I k ə l/ (cuticles ) N‑COUNT Your cuticles are the skin at the base of each of your fingernails.
cut|lass /kʌ tləs/ (cutlasses ) N‑COUNT A cutlass is a short sword that used to be used by sailors.
cut|lery /kʌ tləri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Cutlery consists of the knives, forks, and spoons that you eat your food with. [BRIT ] □ She arranged plates and cutlery on a small table. in AM, use silverware , flatware 2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to knives and tools used for cutting as cutlery . [AM ]
cut|let /kʌ tlət/ (cutlets ) N‑COUNT A cutlet is a small piece of meat which is usually fried or grilled. □ …grilled lamb cutlets.
cu t-off (cut-offs ) also cutoff
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft N n] A cut-off or a cut-off point is the level or limit at which you decide that something should stop happening. □ The cut-off date for registering is yet to be announced. □ On young girls it can look really great, but there is a definite age cut-off on this.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The cut-off of a supply or service is the complete stopping of the supply or service. □ [+ of ] A total cut-off of supplies would cripple the country's economy.
cu t ou t ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If you are not cut out for a particular type of work, you do not have the qualities that are needed to be able to do it well. □ [+ for ] I left medicine anyway. I wasn't really cut out for it.
cu t-out (cut-outs )
1 N‑COUNT A cardboard cut-out is a shape that has been cut from thick card. □ You'd swear he was a cardboard cut-out except that he'd moved his rifle.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A cut-out is a device that turns off a machine automatically in particular circumstances. □ Use a kettle with an automatic cut-out so it doesn't boil for longer than necessary.
cu t-price ADJ [ADJ n] Cut-price goods or services are cheaper than usual. [BRIT ] □ …the cut-price clothing chain. □ …cut-price tickets. in AM, use cut-rate
cu t-rate ADJ [ADJ n] Cut-rate goods or services are cheaper than usual. □ …cut-rate auto insurance.
cut|ter /kʌ tə r / (cutters )
1 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A cutter is a tool that you use for cutting through something. □ …a pastry cutter. □ …wire cutters.
2 N‑COUNT A cutter is a person who cuts or reduces something. □ He has been using every opportunity to boost his credibility as a budget cutter.
cu t-throat ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a situation as cut-throat , you mean that the people or companies involved all want success and do not care if they harm each other in getting it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …cut-throat competition.
cut|ting ◆◇◇ /kʌ t I ŋ/ (cuttings )
1 N‑COUNT A cutting is a piece of writing which has been cut from a newspaper or magazine. [BRIT ] □ Here are the press cuttings and reviews. in AM, use clipping 2 N‑COUNT A cutting from a plant is a part of the plant that you have cut off so that you can grow a new plant from it. □ [+ from ] Take cuttings from it in July or August.
3 N‑COUNT A cutting is a narrow valley cut through a hill so that a railway line or road can pass through. [BRIT ] in AM, use cut 4 ADJ A cutting remark is unkind and likely to hurt someone's feelings. □ People make cutting remarks to help themselves feel superior or powerful.
cu t|ting board (cutting boards ) N‑COUNT A cutting board is a wooden or plastic board that you chop meat and vegetables on. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use chopping board
cu t|ting e dge The spelling cutting-edge is used for meaning 3 . 1 N‑SING [usu at/on the N of n] If you are at the cutting edge of a particular field of activity, you are involved in its most important or most exciting developments. □ [+ of ] This shipyard is at the cutting edge of world shipbuilding technology.
2 N‑SING If someone or something gives you a cutting edge , they give you an advantage over your competitors. □ He will give the team a cutting edge when it comes to the race for the championship.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Cutting-edge techniques or equipment are the most advanced that there are in a particular field. □ What we are planning is cutting-edge technology never seen in Australia before.
cu t|ting room N‑SING The cutting room in a film production company is the place where the film is edited. □ Her scene ended up on the cutting room floor.
cuttle|fish /kʌ t ə lf I ʃ/ (cuttlefish ) N‑COUNT A cuttlefish is a sea animal that has a soft body and a hard shell inside.
cu t u p ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are cut up about something that has happened, you are very unhappy because of it. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] Terry was very cut up about Jim's death.