cutout

1 of 3

noun

cut·​out ˈkət-ˌau̇t 

1

: something cut out or off from something else

also : the space or hole left after cutting

2

: one that cuts out

3

: an intermediary in a clandestine operation

4

: a record album no longer in production that is sold at a discount

cutout adjective

cut out

2 of 3

verb

cut out; cutting out; cuts out

transitive verb

1

: to form by erosion

2

: to determine or assign through necessity

you've got your work cut out for you

3

: to take the place of : supplant

4

: to put an end to : desist from

cut out wasteful spending

5

: deprive, defraud

cut him out of his share

6

a

: to remove from a series or circuit : disconnect

cut out a car from a train

b

: to make inoperative

intransitive verb

1

: to depart in haste

2

: to cease operating

3

: to swerve out of a traffic line

cut out

3 of 3

adjective

: naturally fitted or suited

not cut out to be a vet

Synonyms

Verb

• break
• break down
• conk (out)
• crash
• die
• fail
• give out
• stall

Examples of cutout in a Sentence

Noun

a cardboard cutout of a famous actor

Verb

the engine abruptly cut out

now cut that out, or I'm turning this car around!

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Johnson highlighted his close relationship with Trump on the campaign trail, performing— at the urging of the Pennsylvania crowd — an impression of the former president as a cardboard cutout of Trump stood behind him. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024

His costume included a cardboard cutout of Swift in her first signature pose of the Eras Tour. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024

Verb

Why not put everything under one roof, cut out the middlemen and go direct to the manufacturers? —Lee Habeeb, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Ultimately, much of the housing plans were cut out of the bill as Democrats tried to get it past Senate moderates, especially Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). —Alex Thompson, Axios, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1645, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cutout

1 of 3 noun

cut·​out ˈkət-ˌau̇t 

: something cut out or off from something else

cutout adjective

cut out

2 of 3 verb

1

: to assign through necessity

you've got your work cut out for you

2

: to put an end to

now cut that out

3

: to come to a stop

the engines cut out

cut out

3 of 3 adjective

: naturally suited

not cut out for teaching