cutting

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English

n. an article or picture cut out from a newspaper or magazine.

n. an article, photograph, or advertisement physically excised from a periodical.

“He kept a folder full of newspaper cuttings about his local football team.”

“The archive contains thousands of press cuttings dating back to the early twentieth century, providing a unique record of local history.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Medicine Technical

n. the act of intentionally cutting your own skin, often because of emotional pain.

n. the practice of intentionally inflicting superficial wounds on one's own body as a manifestation of psychological distress.

“The doctor explained that cutting is often a sign of deep emotional struggle.”

“The clinical study examined the correlation between adolescent anxiety disorders and the prevalence of cutting as a maladaptive coping mechanism.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Technical

n. a path or passage dug through high ground for a road or railway.

n. an open passage excavated through higher ground to allow a transport route to maintain a relatively level grade.

“The train slowed down as it entered a deep cutting through the hills.”

“Engineers had to blast through solid granite to create the railway cutting, a feat that took nearly three years to complete.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. unkind and likely to hurt someone's feelings.

adj. intentionally cruel, sharp, or stinging in nature; typically used of remarks or criticism.

“He made a cutting remark about her dress that made her feel very embarrassed.”

“Her cutting critique of the director's latest film was widely circulated, effectively ending his hopes for a major award nomination.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary

adj. feeling very sharp and cold, like a knife.

adj. penetratingly cold or sharp; used to describe wind or weather conditions.

“A cutting wind blew across the open fields, making everyone shiver.”

“The cutting winter gale forced the sailors to seek shelter in the lee of the cliffs until the storm subsided.”

A2 · Elementary

v. the action of using a sharp tool to divide something or make it smaller.

v. the present participle of 'cut', denoting the act of incision, reduction, or division.

“She was busy cutting the vegetables for the soup when the phone rang.”

“The government is currently cutting expenditure across several departments to address the growing budget deficit.”