Word
cutoff
Phoneticscut·off, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkəˌtɔf/
UK/kˈʌtɒf/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a fixed limit or point that marks when something must stop or change. You use it to decide who is included or excluded from a group.
n. a designated limit, threshold, or deadline that serves as a point of termination or exclusion. Often used to determine eligibility for a program or to define the boundary of a data set.
Examples
“The cutoff for applications is this Friday at noon.”
“Students who scored below the 85% cutoff were required to attend a mandatory review session before the final exam.”
“In clinical trials, researchers must establish a strict age cutoff to ensure the demographic variables remain consistent enough to produce statistically significant results across the entire study population.”
Examples
simple
“The cutoff for applications is this Friday at noon.”
contextual
“Students who scored below the 85% cutoff were required to attend a mandatory review session before the final exam.”
complex
“In clinical trials, researchers must establish a strict age cutoff to ensure the demographic variables remain consistent enough to produce statistically significant results across the entire study population.”
Usage
Often functions as a compound noun; frequently paired with 'date', 'point', or 'score'.
Real-World Examples
“The age-related cutoff split the older population into two groups: those who could get the vaccine and those who could not.” “The slowest athletes will be racing much closer to course cutoffs and be more at risk of missing them .” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/cutoff