Trim vs. Cut — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 29, 2024
"Trim" refers to making minor adjustments or reductions, often to enhance appearance or function, whereas "cut" generally involves dividing or severing something more substantially.
Difference Between Trim and Cut
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Trim is usually a subtle action, aiming to remove small, unnecessary parts or edges, often used for aesthetic or maintenance purposes like trimming hair or bushes. On the other hand, cut is used to describe a more decisive action, implying a larger or deeper separation, such as cutting a piece of wood or slicing food.
In the context of maintenance or grooming, to trim might mean refining or tidying up, as with trimming a beard or fingernails, suggesting less is removed and the original shape is mostly preserved. Whereas, to cut in these contexts could mean reducing length significantly or altering the original shape more drastically.
In textiles or paper, trimming refers to removing excess or fringes for a neater finish, often with precision and care to maintain the integrity of the main piece. Cutting, however, implies creating new shapes or pieces from the original material, which can change the entire structure or purpose of the material.
Trimming can also refer to financial adjustments, like trimming a budget, where only excess or non-essential expenditures are reduced. In contrast, cutting a budget could involve significant reductions that might affect core operations or functionalities.
The tools associated with each also differ; trimming is often done with more precise, smaller tools like scissors or trimmers that allow for control and minimal removal. Cutting is associated with sharper, larger tools like knives or saws, designed to handle thicker materials or bigger portions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To make slight adjustments or reductions
To divide or sever something significantly
Common Usage
Grooming, tidying, small adjustments
Dividing, severing, significant changes
Tool Association
Scissors, trimmers (small, precise)
Knives, saws (larger, sharper)
Outcome
Subtle change, maintains form
More drastic change, alters form
Examples
Trimming hair, trimming expenses
Cutting a rope, cutting costs
Compare with Definitions
Trim
To remove small amounts from something to improve its appearance.
She decided to trim the edges of the lawn for a neater look.
Cut
To make an opening or incision with a sharp edge.
She cut a piece of cake for each guest.
Trim
To decorate, especially by adding ornaments along the edges.
The dress was trimmed with lace.
Cut
To stop or abruptly end.
The funding for the project was suddenly cut.
Trim
To adjust, especially to bring something within a desired limit.
He trimmed the sails to catch the wind better.
Cut
To divide into parts with a sharp tool.
He cut the wood into equal sections.
Trim
To make neat or tidy by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts.
Trimming his beard gave him a refreshed appearance.
Cut
To shape or form by cutting.
The artisan cut the stone into a beautiful sculpture.
Trim
To reduce slightly, particularly to remove excess.
It's time to trim the fat off the budget for next year.
Cut
To reduce the amount or size of something.
The company had to cut jobs to reduce costs.
Trim
To make neat or tidy by clipping, smoothing, or pruning
Trimmed his moustache.
Trimmed the hedges.
Cut
Make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp-edged tool or object
When fruit is cut open, it goes brown
He cut his big toe on a sharp stone
Trim
To remove the excess or unwanted parts from
Trimmed the pie crust.
Trimmed the budget.
Cut
Remove (something) from something larger by using a sharp implement
I cut his photograph out of the paper
Some prisoners had their right hands cut off
Trim
To remove (excess or unwanted parts)
Trimmed the rotten wood.
Trimmed the fat from the budget.
Cut
Divide into pieces with a knife or other sharp implement
He cut his food up into teeny pieces
Cut the beef into thin slices
Trim
To lose (weight or fat) deliberately, as by exercise or dieting.
Cut
Make or form (something) by using a sharp tool to remove material
Workmen cut a hole in the pipe
Trim
To decorate, especially by adding a border or contrasting element
Trim a blouse.
Cut
Trim or reduce the length of (grass, hair, etc.) by using a sharp implement
Cut back all the year's growth to about four leaves
Ted was cutting the lawn
Trim
To arrange with display items
Trim a store window.
Cut
Reduce the amount or quantity of
We're looking to cut down on the use of chemicals
They've cut back on costs
Buyers will bargain hard to cut the cost of the house they want
I should cut down my sugar intake
Trim
To thrash; beat.
Cut
Ignore or refuse to recognize (someone)
They cut her in public
Trim
To defeat soundly
Trimmed their opponents in the first game.
Cut
(of a line) cross or intersect (another line)
Mark the point where the line cuts the vertical axis
Trim
To cheat out of money
Trimmed him of every dollar he had.
Cut
Stop filming or recording
‘Cut’ shouted a voice, followed by ‘Could we do it again, please?’
Trim
To rebuke; scold.
Cut
Divide a pack of playing cards by lifting a portion from the top, either to reveal a card at random or to place the top portion under the bottom portion
Let's cut for dealer
Trim
To adjust (the sails and yards) so that they receive the wind properly.
Cut
Strike or kick (a ball) with an abrupt, typically downward motion
Cook cut the ball back to him
Trim
To balance (a ship) by shifting its cargo or contents.
Cut
Mix (an illegal drug) with another substance
Speed cut with rat poison
Trim
To balance (an aircraft) in flight by regulating the control surfaces and tabs.
Cut
Come up to expectations; meet requirements
This CD player doesn't quite cut it
Trim
To be in or retain equilibrium.
Cut
A stroke or blow given by a sharp-edged implement or by a whip or cane
He could skin an animal with a single cut of the knife
Trim
To make sails and yards ready for sailing.
Cut
A wounding remark or act
His unkindest cut at Elizabeth was to call her heartless
Trim
To affect or maintain cautious neutrality.
Cut
The way or style in which something, especially a garment or someone's hair, is cut
The elegant cut of his dinner jacket
Trim
To fashion one's views for momentary popularity or advantage.
Cut
To penetrate with a sharp edge; strike a narrow opening in.
Trim
To lose weight deliberately. Often used with down.
Cut
To separate into parts with or as if with a sharp-edged instrument; sever
Cut cloth with scissors.
Trim
A cutting or clipping to make neat
My hair needs a trim.
Cut
To sever the edges or ends of; shorten
Cut one's hair.
Trim
An excess or unwanted part that has been removed
Cut off the trim.
Cut
To mow, reap, or harvest
Cut grain.
Cut grass.
Trim
State of order, arrangement, or appearance; condition
In good trim.
Cut
To fell by sawing; hew.
Trim
A condition of good health or fitness
Keeping her body in trim.
Cut
To have (a new tooth) grow through the gums.
Trim
Exterior ornamentation, such as moldings or framework, on a building or vehicle.
Cut
To form or shape by severing or incising
A doll that was cut from paper.
Trim
Decoration or ornament, as for clothing.
Cut
To form or shape by grinding
Cut a diamond.
Trim
Material used in commercial window displays.
Cut
To form by penetrating, probing, or digging
Cut a trench.
Trim
Often trims Excised or rejected material, such as film that has been cut in editing.
Cut
To exhibit the appearance or give the impression of
Cuts a fine figure on the dance floor.
Trim
The readiness of a vessel for sailing with regard to ballast, sails, and yards.
Cut
To separate from a main body; detach
Cut a limb from a tree.
Trim
The balance of a ship.
Cut
To separate from a group
Cut a calf from a herd.
Trim
The difference between the draft at the bow and at the stern.
Cut
To discharge from a group or number
Had to cut six players from the team.
Trim
The balance of rotational forces around the various axes of an aircraft in flight.
Cut
To pass through or across; cross
A sailboat cutting the water.
Trim
In good or neat order.
Cut
(Games) To divide (a deck of cards) into two parts, as in completing a shuffle or in exposing a card at random.
Trim
In good physical condition; fit; slim
A trim figure.
Cut
To reduce the size, extent, or duration of; curtail or shorten
Cut a payroll.
Cut a budget.
Cut the cooking time in half.
Trim
Having lines, edges, or forms of neat and pleasing simplicity.
Cut
To remove or delete
Cut a line from a poem.
Trim
In a trim manner.
Cut
(Computers) To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.
Trim
(transitive) To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.
He trimmed his beard before the interview.
The hedge needs to be trimmed.
Place the screen material in the frame, secure it in place, and trim the edges.
The company trimmed jobs for the second time this year.
A ranch steak is usually trimmed of all excess fat.
Cut
To lessen the strength of; dilute
Cut whiskey with water.
Trim
(transitive) To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.
They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.
Cut
To dissolve by breaking down the fat of
Soap cuts grease.
Trim
To adjust the positions of control surfaces, sometimes using trim tabs, so as to modify or eliminate the aircraft's tendency to pitch, roll, or yaw when the cockpit controls are released.
Cut
To injure the feelings of; hurt keenly.
Trim
To modify the angle relative to the water by shifting cargo or ballast; to adjust for sailing; to assume, or cause to assume a certain position, or trim, in the water.
Cut
To refuse to speak to or recognize; snub
Cut me dead at the party.
Trim
To modify the angle (of the sails) relative to the wind, especially to set them at the most advantageous angle.
Cut
To fail to attend purposely
Cut a class.
Trim
(dated) To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
Cut
(Informal) To cease; stop
Cut the noise.
Cut an engine.
Trim
(transitive) To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
Cut
To strike (a ball) so that it spins in a reverse direction.
Trim
To dress; to make smooth.
Cut
To throw or hit (a ball) on a curving trajectory.
Trim
To rebuke; to reprove.
Cut
To perform
Cut a caper.
Trim
To beat or thrash.
Cut
To make out and issue
Cut a check to cover travel expenses.
Trim
To cut back the wick of (a lamp) to maintain a clean, bright flame.
Cut
To arrange or reach (an agreement).
Trim
To change the carbon rods of (an arc lamp).
Cut
(Slang) To be able to manage; handle successfully
Couldn't cut the long hours anymore.
Trim
(uncountable) Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.
Paint the house white with blue trim.
Cut
To stop filming (a movie scene).
Trim
(countable) A haircut, especially a moderate one to touch up an existing style.
I went to the hairdresser for a trim but came back nearly bald.
Cut
To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).
Trim
Dress; gear; ornaments.
Cut
To make a recording of (a song, for example).
Trim
(countable) The manner in which something is equipped or adorned; order; disposition.
The car comes in three different trims.
To be in good trim
Cut
To edit (a movie or audio recording).
Trim
The state of adjustment of control surfaces such that the desired attitude can be maintained without requiring the continuous application of force to the cockpit controls.
Cut
Vulgar Slang To expel (a discharge of intestinal gas).
Trim
The mechanism(s) used to trim an aircraft in roll, pitch, and/or yaw.
Cut
To injure (oneself) by penetrating the skin with a sharp object.
Trim
(nautical) The fore-and-aft angle of the vessel to the water, with reference to the cargo and ballast; the manner in which a vessel floats on the water, whether on an even keel or down by the head or stern.
Cut
To make an incision or a separation
Cut along the dotted line.
Trim
(nautical) The arrangement of the sails with reference to the wind.
Cut
To allow incision or severing
Butter cuts easily.
Trim
Physically fit.
He goes jogging every day to keep in trim.
Cut
To function as a sharp-edged instrument.
Trim
Slender, lean.
A trim figure
Cut
To remove part of something, such as a text or film.
Trim
Neat or smart in appearance.
A trim lawn
Cut
(Computers) To remove a part of a document or graphics file and store it in a buffer.
Trim
(nautical) In good order; properly managed or maintained.
Cut
To grow through the gums. Used of teeth.
Trim
(nautical) With sails well trimmed.
Cut
To injure someone's feelings
A remark that cut without mercy.
Trim
To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
The hermit trimmed his little fire.
Cut
To change direction abruptly
Cut to the left at the next intersection.
Trim
To dress; to decorate; to adorn; to invest; to embellish; as, to trim a hat.
A rotten building newly trimmed over.
I was trimmed in Julia's gown.
Cut
To go directly and often hastily
Cut across a field.
Trim
To make ready or right by cutting or shortening; to clip or lop; to curtail; as, to trim the hair; to trim a tree.
Cut
(Games) To divide a pack of cards into two parts, especially in order to make a chance decision or selection.
Trim
To dress, as timber; to make smooth.
Cut
To make an abrupt transition to another segment of film, video, or audio
Cut from one shot to another.
Trim
To adjust, as a ship, by arranging the cargo, or disposing the weight of persons or goods, so equally on each side of the center and at each end, that she shall sit well on the water and sail well; as, to trim a ship, or a boat.
Cut
To be very astute and penetrating
An analysis that cuts deep.
Trim
To rebuke; to reprove; also, to beat.
I found her trimming up the diademOn her dead mistress.
Cut
To inflict self-injury by penetrating the skin with a sharp object.
Trim
To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favor each.
Cut
The act of cutting.
Trim
Dress; gear; ornaments.
Seeing him just pass the window in his woodland trim.
Cut
The result of cutting, especially an opening or wound made by a sharp edge.
Trim
Order; disposition; condition; as, to be in good trim.
Cut
A part that has been cut from a main body
A cut of beef.
A cut of cloth.
Trim
The state of a ship or her cargo, ballast, masts, etc., by which she is well prepared for sailing.
Cut
A passage made by digging or probing.
Trim
The lighter woodwork in the interior of a building; especially, that used around openings, generally in the form of a molded architrave, to protect the plastering at those points.
Cut
The elimination or removal of a part
A cut in a speech.
Trim
Fitly adjusted; being in good order., or made ready for service or use; firm; compact; snug; neat; fair; as, the ship is trim, or trim built; everything about the man is trim; a person is trim when his body is well shaped and firm; his dress is trim when it fits closely to his body, and appears tight and snug; a man or a soldier is trim when he stands erect.
With comely carriage of her countenance trim.
So deemed I till I viewed their trim arrayOf boats last night.
Cut
A reduction
A cut in salary.
Trim
A state of arrangement or appearance;
In good trim
Cut
(Sports) The remainder of contestants in a competition, especially in golf, after some have been eliminated
Did very well but still missed the cut.
Trim
A decoration or adornment on a garment;
The trimming on a hat
The trim on a shirt
Cut
The style in which a garment is cut
A suit of traditional cut.
Trim
Attitude of an aircraft in flight when allowed to take its own orientation
Cut
A haircut.
Trim
Cutting down to the desired size or shape
Cut
(Informal) A portion of profits or earnings; a share.
Trim
Remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size;
Pare one's fingernails
Trim the photograph
Trim lumber
Cut
A wounding remark; an insult.
Trim
Decorate, as with ornaments;
Trim the christmas tree
Trim a shop window
Cut
An unexcused absence, as from school or a class.
Trim
Cut down on; make a reduction in;
Reduce your daily fat intake
The employer wants to cut back health benefits
Cut
A step in a scale of value or quality; degree
A cut above the average.
Trim
Balance in flight by regulating the control surfaces;
Trim an airplane
Cut
An engraved block or plate.
Trim
Be in equilibrium during a flight;
The airplane trimmed
Cut
A print made from such a block.
Trim
Decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods
Cut
A stroke that causes a ball to spin in a reverse direction.
Trim
Cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of;
Dress the plants in the garden
Cut
A curve in the trajectory of a ball or puck.
Trim
Cut closely;
Trim my beard
Cut
(Baseball) A swing of a bat.
Trim
Adjust (sails on a ship) so that the wind is optimally used
Cut
(Games) The act of dividing a deck of cards into two parts, as before dealing.
Trim
Thin and fit;
The spare figure of a marathon runner
A body kept trim by exercise
Cut
One of the objects used in drawing lots.
Trim
(used of hair) neat and tidy;
A nicely kempt beard
Cut
A transition between segments of film, video, or audio.
Trim
Of places; characterized by order and neatness; free from disorder;
Even the barn was shipshape
A trim little sailboat
Cut
A movie at a given stage in its editing
Approved the final cut for distribution.
Trim
(of persons) neat and smart in appearance;
A clean-cut and well-bred young man
The trig corporal in his jaunty cap
Cut
A single selection of music from a recording, especially a phonograph recording.
Trim
Severely simple in line or design;
A neat tailored suit
Tailored curtains
Cut
Having the ends or edges cut
Admired his newly cut hair.
Cut
Having been cut or clipped off
Cut grass that blew in the wind.
Cut
(Printing) Having the page edge slit or trimmed. Used of a book.
Cut
Ground to a specific shape
Cut gemstones.
Cut
(Slang) Circumcised. Used of a man or boy.
Cut
(transitive) To incise, to cut into the surface of something.
Cut
To perform an incision on, for example with a knife.
Cut
To divide with a knife, scissors, or another sharp instrument.
Would you please cut the cake?
Cut
To form or shape by cutting.
I have three diamonds to cut today.
Cut
(slang) To wound with a knife.
Cut
(intransitive) To engage in self-harm by making cuts in one's own skin.
The patient said she had been cutting since the age of thirteen.
Cut
To deliver a stroke with a whip or like instrument to.
Cut
To wound or hurt deeply the sensibilities of; to pierce.
Sarcasm cuts to the quick.
Cut
To castrate or geld.
To cut a horse
Cut
To interfere, as a horse; to strike one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in using the legs.
Cut
(intransitive) To admit of incision or severance; to yield to a cutting instrument.
Cut
To separate, remove, reject or reduce.
Cut
To separate or omit, in a situation where one was previously associated.
Travis was cut from the team.
Cut
To abridge or shorten a work; to remove a portion of a recording during editing.
Cut
To reduce, especially intentionally.
They're going to cut salaries by fifteen percent.
Cut
To absent oneself from (a class, an appointment, etc.).
I cut fifth period to hang out with Angela.
Cut
To ignore as a social rebuff or snub.
After the incident at the dinner party, people started to cut him on the street.
Cut
To make an abrupt transition from one scene or image to another.
The camera then cut to the woman on the front row who was clearly overcome and crying tears of joy.
Cut
To edit a film by selecting takes from original footage.
Cut
To remove (text, a picture, etc.) and place in memory in order to paste at a later time.
Select the text, cut it, and then paste it in the other application.
Cut
(intransitive) To enter a queue in the wrong place.
One student kept trying to cut in front of the line.
Cut
(intransitive) To intersect or cross in such a way as to divide in half or nearly so.
This road cuts right through downtown.
Cut
To make the ball spin sideways by running one's fingers down the side of the ball while bowling it. en
Cut
To deflect (a bowled ball) to the off, with a chopping movement of the bat.
Cut
(intransitive) To change direction suddenly.
The football player cut to his left to evade a tackle.
Cut
To divide a pack of playing cards into two.
If you cut then I'll deal.
Cut
To make or negotiate.
I'll cut a check for you.
I didn't deserve it, but he cut me a deal.
Cut
(transitive) To exhibit (a quality).
Cut
(transitive) To stop, disengage, or cease.
The schoolchildren were told to cut the noise.
Cut the engines when the plane comes to a halt!
Cut
(sports) To drive (a ball) to one side, as by (in billiards or croquet) hitting it fine with another ball, or (in tennis) striking it with the racket inclined.
Cut
(bodybuilding) To lose body mass, aiming to keep muscle but lose body fat.
Cut
To perform (a dancing movement etc.).
To cut a caper
Cut
(participial adjective) Having been cut.
Cut
Reduced.
The pitcher threw a cut fastball that was slower than his usual pitch.
Cut brandy is a liquor made of brandy and hard grain liquor.
Cut
(of a gem) Carved into a shape; not raw.
Cut
Played with a horizontal bat to hit the ball backward of point.
Cut
(bodybuilding) Having muscular definition in which individual groups of muscle fibers stand out among larger muscles.
Cut
(informal) Circumcised or having been the subject of female genital mutilation.
Cut
Emotionally hurt.
Cut
Intoxicated as a result of drugs or alcohol.
Cut
The act of cutting.
He made a fine cut with his sword.
Cut
The result of cutting.
A smooth or clear cut
Cut
An opening resulting from cutting; an incision or wound.
Look at this cut on my finger!
Cut
A notch, passage, or channel made by cutting or digging; a furrow; a groove.
A cut for a railroad
Cut
An artificial navigation channel as distinguished from a navigable river.
Cut
A share or portion of profits.
The bank robbers disbanded after everyone got their cut of the money.
Cut
A decrease.
The boss took a 5% pay cut.
Cut
(cricket) A batsman's shot played with a swinging motion of the bat, to hit the ball backward of point.
Cut
(cricket) Sideways movement of the ball through the air caused by a fast bowler imparting spin to the ball.
Cut
(sports) In lawn tennis, etc., a slanting stroke causing the ball to spin and bound irregularly; also, the spin thus given to the ball.
Cut
(golf) In a strokeplay competition, the early elimination of those players who have not then attained a preannounced score, so that the rest of the competition is less pressed for time and more entertaining for spectators.
Cut
A passage omitted or to be omitted from a play, movie script, speech, etc.
The director asked the cast to note down the following cuts.
Cut
(cinema) A particular version or edit of a film.
The director's cut
Cut
(card games) The act or right of dividing a deck of playing cards.
The player next to the dealer makes a cut by placing the bottom half on top.
Cut
(card games) The card obtained by dividing the pack.
Cut
The manner or style a garment etc. is fashioned in.
I like the cut of that suit.
Cut
A slab, especially of meat.
That’s our finest cut of meat.
Cut
(fencing) An attack made with a chopping motion of the blade, landing with its edge or point.
Cut
A deliberate snub, typically a refusal to return a bow or other acknowledgement of acquaintance.
Cut
An unkind act; a cruelty.
Cut
A definable part, such as an individual song, of a recording, particularly of commercial records, audio tapes, CDs, etc.
The drummer on the last cut of their CD is not identified.
Cut
(archaeology) A truncation, a context that represents a moment in time when other archaeological deposits were removed for the creation of some feature such as a ditch or pit.
Cut
A haircut.
Cut
(graph theory) The partition of a graph’s vertices into two subgroups.
Cut
(rail) A string of railway cars coupled together, shorter than a train.
Cut
An engraved block or plate; the impression from such an engraving.
A book illustrated with fine cuts
Cut
(obsolete) A common workhorse; a gelding.
Cut
The failure of a college officer or student to be present at any appointed exercise.
Cut
A skein of yarn.
Cut
(fashion) A notch shaved into an eyebrow.
Cut
(bodybuilding) A time period when one tries to lose fat while retaining muscle mass.
Cut
(slang) A hidden, secluded, or secure place.
Cut
The range of temperatures used to distill a particular mixture of hydrocarbons from crude oil.
Cut
An instruction to cease recording.
Cut
To sever and cause to fall for the purpose of gathering; to hew; to mow or reap.
Thy servants can skill to cut timer.
Cut
To sever and remove by cutting; to cut off; to dock; as, to cut the hair; to cut the nails.
Cut
To castrate or geld; as, to cut a horse.
Cut
To wound or hurt deeply the sensibilities of; to pierce; to lacerate; as, sarcasm cuts to the quick.
The man was cut to the heart.
Cut
To intersect; to cross; as, one line cuts another at right angles.
Cut
To refuse to recognize; to ignore; as, to cut a person in the street; to cut one's acquaintance.
Cut
To absent one's self from; as, to cut an appointment, a recitation. etc.
An English tradesman is always solicitous to cut the shop whenever he can do so with impunity.
Cut
To deflect (a bowled ball) to the off, with a chopping movement of the bat.
Cut
To drive (an object ball) to either side by hitting it fine on the other side with the cue ball or another object ball.
Cut
To strike (a ball) with the racket inclined or struck across the ball so as to put a certain spin on the ball.
Cut
To drive (a ball) to one side by hitting with another ball.
I would to God, . . . The king had cut off my brother's.
Cut
To do the work of an edged tool; to serve in dividing or gashing; as, a knife cuts well.
Cut
To admit of incision or severance; to yield to a cutting instrument.
Panels of white wood that cuts like cheese.
Cut
To perform the operation of dividing, severing, incising, intersecting, etc.; to use a cutting instrument.
He saved the lives of thousands by his manner of cutting for the stone.
Cut
To make a stroke with a whip.
Cut
To interfere, as a horse.
Cut
To move or make off quickly.
Cut
To divide a pack of cards into two portion to decide the deal or trump, or to change the order of the cards to be dealt.
Cut
An opening made with an edged instrument; a cleft; a gash; a slash; a wound made by cutting; as, a sword cut.
Cut
A stroke or blow or cutting motion with an edged instrument; a stroke or blow with a whip.
Cut
That which wounds the feelings, as a harsh remark or criticism, or a sarcasm; personal discourtesy, as neglecting to recognize an acquaintance when meeting him; a slight.
Rip called him by name, but the cur snarled, snapped his teeth, and passed on. This was an unkind cut indeed.
Cut
A notch, passage, or channel made by cutting or digging; a furrow; a groove; as, a cut for a railroad.
This great cut or ditch Secostris . . . purposed to have made a great deal wider and deeper.
Cut
The surface left by a cut; as, a smooth or clear cut.
Cut
A portion severed or cut off; a division; as, a cut of beef; a cut of timber.
It should be understood, moreover, . . . that the group are not arbitrary cuts, but natural groups or types.
Cut
An engraved block or plate; the impression from such an engraving; as, a book illustrated with fine cuts.
Cut
The act of dividing a pack cards.
Cut
Manner in which a thing is cut or formed; shape; style; fashion; as, the cut of a garment.
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut.
Cut
A common work horse; a gelding.
He'll buy me a cut, forth for to ride.
Cut
The failure of a college officer or student to be present at any appointed exercise.
Cut
A skein of yarn.
Cut
A slanting stroke causing the ball to spin and bound irregularly; also, the spin so given to the ball.
Cut
A stroke on the off side between point and the wicket; also, one who plays this stroke.
Now draweth cut . . . The which that hath the shortest shall begin.
Cut
Gashed or divided, as by a cutting instrument.
Cut
Formed or shaped as by cutting; carved.
Cut
Overcome by liquor; tipsy.
Cut
The act of reducing the amount or number;
The mayor proposed extensive cuts in the city budget
Cut
A wound made by cutting;
He put a bandage over the cut
Cut
A piece of meat that has been cut from an animal carcass
Cut
A distinct selection of music from a recording or a compact disc;
He played the first cut on the cd
The title track of the album
Cut
The act of penetrating or opening open with a sharp edge;
His cut in the lining revealed the hidden jewels
Cut
A share of the profits;
Everyone got a cut of the earnings
Cut
A step on some scale;
He is a cut above the the rest
Cut
A trench resembling a furrow that was made by erosion or excavation
Cut
(film) an immediate transition from one shot to the next;
The cut from the accident scene to the hospital seemed too abrupt
Cut
The act of cutting something into parts;
His cuts were skillful
His cutting of the cake made a terrible mess
Cut
The omission that is made when an editorial change shortens a written passage;
An editor's deletions frequently upset young authors
Both parties agreed on the excision of the proposed clause
Cut
The style in which a garment is cut;
A dress of traditional cut
Cut
The act of shortening something by cutting off the ends;
The barber gave him a good cut
Cut
In baseball; a batter's attempt to hit a pitched ball;
He took a vicious cut at the ball
Cut
A remark capable of wounding mentally;
The unkindest cut of all
Cut
A canal made by erosion or excavation
Cut
A refusal to recognize someone you know;
The snub was clearly intentional
Cut
(sports) a stroke that puts reverse spin on the ball;
Cuts do not bother a good tennis player
Cut
The division of a deck of cards before dealing;
He insisted that we give him the last cut before every deal
The cutting of the cards soon became a ritual
Cut
An unexcused absence from class;
He was punished for taking too many cuts in his math class
Cut
Separate with or as if with an instrument;
Cut the rope
Cut
Cut down on; make a reduction in;
Reduce your daily fat intake
The employer wants to cut back health benefits
Cut
Turn sharply; change direction abruptly;
The car cut to the left at the intersection
The motorbike veered to the right
Cut
Make an incision or separation;
Cut along the dotted line
Cut
Discharge from a group;
The coach cut two players from the team
Cut
Form by probing, penetrating, or digging;
Cut a hole
Cut trenches
The sweat cut little rivulets into her face
Cut
Style and tailor in a certain fashion;
Cut a dress
Cut
Hit (a ball) with a spin so that it turns in the opposite direction;
Cut a pingpong ball
Cut
Make out and issue;
Write out a check
Cut a ticket
Please make the check out to me
Cut
Cut and assemble the components of;
Edit film
Cut recording tape
Cut
Intentionally fail to attend;
Cut class
Cut
Informal: be able to manage or manage successfully;
I can't hack it anymore
She could not cut the long days in the office
Cut
Give the appearance or impression of;
Cut a nice figure
Cut
Move (one's fist);
His opponent cut upward toward his chin
Cut
Pass directly and often in haste;
We cut through the neighbor's yard to get home sooner
Cut
Pass through or across;
The boat cut the water
Cut
Make an abrupt change of image or sound;
Cut from one scene to another
Cut
Stop filming;
Cut a movie scene
Cut
Make a recording of;
Cut the songs
She cut all of her major titles again
Cut
Record a performance on (a medium);
Cut a record
Cut
Create by duplicating data;
Cut a disk
Burn a CD
Cut
Form or shape by cutting or incising;
Cut paper dolls
Cut
Perform or carry out;
Cut a caper
Cut
Function as a cutting instrument;
This knife cuts well
Cut
Allow incision or separation;
This bread cuts easily
Cut
Divide a deck of cards at random into two parts to make selection difficult;
Wayne cut
She cut the deck for a long time
Cut
Cause to stop operating by disengaging a switch;
Turn off the stereo, please
Cut the engine
Turn out the lights
Cut
Reap or harvest;
Cut grain
Cut
Fell by sawing; hew;
The Vietnamese cut a lot of timber while they occupied Cambodia
Cut
Penetrate injuriously;
The glass from the shattered windshield cut into her forehead
Cut
Refuse to acknowledge;
She cut him dead at the meeting
Cut
Shorten as if by severing the edges or ends of;
Cut my hair
Cut
Weed out unwanted or unnecessary things;
We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet
Cut
Dissolve by breaking down the fat of;
Soap cuts grease
Cut
Have a reducing effect;
This cuts into my earnings
Cut
Cease, stop;
Cut the noise
We had to cut short the conversation
Cut
Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements;
The manuscript must be shortened
Cut
Lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture;
Cut bourbon
Cut
Have grow through the gums;
The baby cut a tooth
Cut
Grow through the gums;
The new tooth is cutting
Cut
Cut off the testicles (of male animals such as horses);
The vet gelded the young horse
Cut
Fashioned or shaped by cutting;
A well-cut suit
Cut diamonds
Cut velvet
Cut
With parts removed;
The drastically cut film
Cut
Made neat and tidy by trimming;
His neatly trimmed hair
Cut
(used of grass or vegetation) cut down with a hand implement or machine;
The smell of new-mown hay
Cut
(of pages of a book) having the folds of the leaves trimmed or slit;
The cut pages of the book
Cut
(of a male animal) having the testicles removed;
A cut horse
Cut
Having a long rip or tear;
A split lip
Cut
Wounded by cutting deeply;
Got a gashed arm in a knife fight
Had a slashed cheek from the broken glass
Cut
Cut down;
The tree is down
Cut
(used of rates or prices) reduced usually sharply;
The slashed prices attracted buyers
Cut
Mixed with water;
Sold cut whiskey
A cup of thinned soup
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between trim and cut?
Trim involves minor adjustments, while cut involves more substantial divisions or separations.
What does it mean to cut costs?
To cut costs means to make significant reductions in spending.
Can trimming affect the health of plants?
Yes, proper trimming can promote healthier growth and maintenance of plants.
What are the risks of cutting too much off a plant?
Overcutting can damage the plant, possibly stunting growth or killing it.
Can both trimming and cutting be used in cooking?
Yes, but trimming often involves removing small parts like fat or peeling, while cutting involves slicing or chopping.
When should you trim instead of cut?
Trim when needing to make minor adjustments without drastically changing appearance or function.
How do tools differ for trimming versus cutting?
Trimming tools are usually smaller and more precise, while cutting tools are typically larger and sharper.
Why might a business decide to cut rather than trim expenses?
A business may cut expenses when facing severe financial challenges requiring substantial reductions.
Is it better to cut or trim hair for growth?
Trimming hair regularly can help maintain health and prevent split ends, supporting better growth.
How does trimming help in grooming animals?
Trimming helps maintain an animal’s coat, keeping it neat and manageable without drastically altering its appearance.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
