cutter
/ˈkʌtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkʌtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkə-tər/ (ame, mw)
cutter — noun
- cuttersingular
- cuttersplural
1. a tool, machine, or small device that is designed to cut something such as paper
a tool, machine, or small device that is designed to cut something such as paper, glass, metal, or food
Noa used a glass cutter to trim the edges of the mirror before fitting it into the frame.
noun modifier: glass cutter / wire cutter / pizza cutter
The pizza cutter rolled easily across the cheese and pepperoni, leaving clean lines between slices.
Reuben bought a new wire cutter at the hardware store because the old one could not handle thick cables.
For opening cardboard boxes, a sharp box cutter works better than most knives in the kitchen.
用法筆記
Often combined with a noun that names the material or object being cut, e.g. a glass cutter, a wire cutter, a cookie cutter.
2. a person whose job involves cutting hard materials such as glass, stone, metal,
a person whose job involves cutting hard materials such as glass, stone, metal, or diamond into a particular shape or size
Sirin works as a glass cutter at a small factory near Taichung, where she shapes window panels every day.
occupation: glass cutter — a person who cuts glass
The stone cutter carefully measured each block before cutting it for the garden wall.
Adaeze trained for three years to become a diamond cutter, learning to split rough gems without wasting valuable material.
Every cutter at the workshop must wear safety gloves and goggles when operating the saw.
3. someone who cuts fabric into shaped pieces based on patterns, so the pieces can
someone who cuts fabric into shaped pieces based on patterns, so the pieces can be sewn together into clothes
Élise learned to be a cloth cutter from her grandmother, who worked in a garment factory in the 1980s.
occupation: cloth cutter — person in garment industry
The cloth cutter laid paper patterns on silk fabric before cutting the first piece with sharp shears.
Aarav has worked as a cloth cutter for the same fashion company since he finished vocational school in 2015.
The head cutter checked the cotton fabric for stains before the cutting team began their work.
- fabric cutter
more general term, can include cutting for upholstery and curtains
- pattern cutter
also creates the patterns; a more skilled role
- tailor
a tailor both cuts and sews; a cloth cutter only cuts
用法筆記
Distinguish from Sense 2: this sense is specific to the garment and textile industry. Cloth cutters work with fabric rather than hard materials like glass or stone.
4. a person, government action, or business strategy that reduces costs, taxes, or
a person, government action, or business strategy that reduces costs, taxes, or spending
The new manager proved a real cost cutter, reducing the office budget twenty percent in her first year.
collocation: cost cutter — someone who reduces expenses
The new mayor was a famous tax cutter who lowered rates for all small businesses in the city.
collocation: tax cutter — a person who reduces taxes
Isabela is known as the department's budget cutter, always finding cheaper suppliers for stationery and equipment.
The company hired an outside consultant to act as a cost cutter during the economic downturn last year.
- savings
a noun for the amount saved, not the person or action
- austerity measure
a formal term for government actions that reduce spending
- spender
someone who uses money freely rather than reducing costs
用法筆記
Frequently combined with a noun in a compound: cost cutter, budget cutter, tax cutter. Often used in business journalism.
5. a fast, lightweight boat used by the coast guard, navy, or police to patrol an a
a fast, lightweight boat used by the coast guard, navy, or police to patrol an area of water or to carry people and supplies between a ship and the shore
The coast guard cutter patrolled the harbour every morning before the ferries began crossing the channel.
collocation: coast guard cutter — a patrol boat used by the coast guard
Dylan serves on a navy cutter that carries supplies between the mainland and islands in the South China Sea.
A small cutter arrived at the dock with mail for the fishing boats anchored offshore.
The police cutter stopped a speedboat that was carrying illegal goods across the border waters at night.
- patrol boat
a more general term for any boat that patrols
- launch
a smaller motorboat, often used to carry people between ship and shore
用法筆記
In naval and coast guard contexts, 'cutter' is the standard term for a small patrol vessel. It does NOT refer to a cutting tool.
6. a kind of sailing boat with one mast placed further back than usual, built to tr
a kind of sailing boat with one mast placed further back than usual, built to travel fast, often used in races or for day trips at sea
Abigail learned to sail on a traditional wooden cutter during her summer vacation on the coast of Maine.
type of sailing vessel: cutter — single-masted, fast
The harbour was filled with small cutters preparing for the annual race around the island on Saturday morning.
Allison's grandfather owned a wooden cutter that he sailed along the coast every weekend for more than forty years.
A cutter's mast sits farther back than on a modern yacht, giving the sails better balance in strong winds.
用法筆記
Distinguish from Sense 5: this sense refers to a type of sailing vessel, not a motorised patrol boat. The key feature is the mast placement and sail rigging.
7. in cricket, a ball that is bowled so that it moves sharply to one side when it b
in cricket, a ball that is bowled so that it moves sharply to one side when it bounces, often surprising the batter and making it difficult to hit
Théo the bowler delivered a nasty cutter that spun sharply past the batsman's bat.
cutter + spin sharply — describes ball movement after bounce
On the dry pitch, Ravindra's cutter bounced unexpectedly and clipped the stumps.
cutter + bounce + hit stumps — typical outcome pattern
The team captain showed the junior players how to grip the ball for a cutter.
Otis watched the replay to see how the cutter had spun past his defensive block.
用法筆記
Used mainly in cricket commentary and coaching. The cutter is different from a 'swerve' or 'swing', which moves through the air before bouncing.
常見錯誤
8. in baseball, a fast pitch that curves slightly sideways just before arriving at
in baseball, a fast pitch that curves slightly sideways just before arriving at home plate, making it harder for the batter to hit accurately
Felipe threw a sharp cutter that broke inside and jammed the hitter's swing.
cutter + break inside — describes pitch movement toward batter
The pitcher's cutter slid to the outside edge of the plate for a called strike.
cutter + slide to edge of plate — pitch location pattern
Coaches often teach the cutter as a safer alternative to the slider for young arms.
The scout noted that Asher's cutter had late movement that fooled left-handed hitters.
- cut fastball
the full name of the same pitch; 'cutter' is the shortened form
用法筆記
The cutter is a variation of the fastball, with less sideways movement than a slider but thrown at higher speed. Commonly thrown by relief pitchers.
常見錯誤
9. a person who intentionally cuts or wounds their own skin, usually as a way of co
a person who intentionally cuts or wounds their own skin, usually as a way of coping with severe emotional distress or a mental health condition
The hospital programme offers support for former cutters learning new ways to manage emotional pain.
former cutters — shows recovery-framed use of the term
Many professionals avoid the label 'cutter' because it can shame people who self-harm.
sensitive label — shows how the term is treated in professional contexts
Adaeze's therapist said being a cutter does not define her as a person.
Tamar told the support group she no longer saw herself as a cutter.
- person who self-harms
person-first alternative; preferred in clinical and respectful contexts
用法筆記
🔴 Sensitive term. Many mental health professionals and advocates prefer person-first language such as 'a person who self-harms' or 'someone with self-harm behavior', because the label 'cutter' can reduce a person's identity to a single symptom. Use this term with care, especially in clinical or public writing.