Cutting: meaning, definitions and examples

General term used for dividing something into pieces with a tool like a knife.

• She is cutting the paper for the project
• The carpenter is cutting the wood for the table

Refers to cutting something into rough or coarse pieces, often used in cooking.

• He is chopping the onions for the soup
• She is chopping the wood for the fireplace

Refers to cutting something into thin, flat pieces, commonly used for food.

• He is slicing the bread for sandwiches
• She is slicing tomatoes for the salad

Specific term used for cutting food into small, uniform cubes typically for ingredients in recipes.

• She is dicing the carrots for the salad
• The recipe calls for dicing the potatoes

Can also imply a sharp or biting remark, often carrying a negative connotation.

• Her cutting words hurt his feelings
• He made a cutting comment about her work

Referring to the process or act of choosing something, often in a formal or organized manner.

• The selection of the new CEO was rigorous
• They have a wide selection of wines at the store

When making a decision between different options.

• He is choosing a new book to read
• They are choosing the best candidate for the job

When selecting something from a group, often used informally.

• She is picking flowers in the garden
• The kids are picking teams for the game

Use 'cutting' when you want to describe the act of using a sharp tool to divide or remove something, often broadly. It can be applied to materials, food, and many other objects.

• She is cutting the vegetables for dinner.
• The artist is cutting a piece of paper for the collage.

Use 'pruning' when discussing the act of cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth in plants and trees.

• She is pruning the rose bushes in her garden.
• Proper pruning helps the plants grow healthier.

Use 'trimming' when referring to cutting something to make it neat, shorter, or to shape it, often applied to hair, hedges, or grass.

• He is trimming his beard before the interview.
• They are trimming the hedge around the house.

Use 'clipping' when you refer to the act of trimming something with small, precise cuts, often with scissors or shears, particularly for small objects or delicate tasks.

• She is clipping her nails.
• He's clipping his dog's fur.