cutout

[ kuht-out ]

noun

1. something cut out from something else, as a pattern or figure cut out or intended to be cut out of paper, cardboard, or other material.
2. a valve in the exhaust pipe of an internal-combustion engine, which when open permits the engine to exhaust directly into the air ahead of the muffler.
3. an act or instance of cutting out.
4. Slang. a trusted intermediary between two espionage agents or agencies.
5. Electricity. a device for the manual or automatic interruption of electric current.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutout¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; noun use of verb phrase cut out

Example Sentences

Hayden announced her retirement on Wednesday by sharing an Instagram photo of herself smiling and embracing a cutout of her beloved Milhouse.

From Los Angeles Times

Students wore “Make America Great Again” T-shirts and hats, toted at least two Trump cardboard cutouts and cheered loudly as a school security guard brandished a Trump banner.

From Los Angeles Times

The gift shop features a life-size cutout of an elderly Im.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she was pleasantly surprised by how many kids and teenagers came up to ask questions and pose with a cardboard cutout of the former president.

From Los Angeles Times

Restorative justice teacher Dominique Street said that while a majority of students follow the rules, some have found ways around the them, such as breaking into the pouches and replacing their phones with cardboard cutouts.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broker
• emissary
• go-between
• mediator
• negotiator

More About Cutout

What is a cutout?

A cutout is something that is cut from something else, such as an image of a celebrity printed on a large sheet of cardboard with all the unprinted cardboard cut away.

To cut out is to shape or form by cutting. The result is a cutout, as in When Darby made the wooden dollhouse, he made sure to include square cutouts in the walls to represent windows.

In electrical engineering, a cutout is a device that interrupts the electrical current to a device, such as a lamp.

Example: There was a cutout of the celebrity outside the theater on opening weekend.

Where does cutout come from?

The first records of the term cutout come from the late 1700s. It combines the word cut, meaning “to use a sharp tool on something,” and out, meaning “away from.”

You might have seen small cutouts in magazines that you would cut out to make a papercraft, such as a doll or knick-knack. A larger cutout would be punched or cut out of a larger sheet to create a replica kit, a diorama, or a display. Life-size cutouts of celebrities or fictional characters are popularly used to promote the celebrity or the work the character comes from, such as a superhero movie.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for cutout?

• broker
• piece
• negotiator
• valve

What are some words that share a root or word element with cutout? 

• cut
• cut out
• out

What are some words that often get used in discussing cutout?

• cardboard
• doll
• hole
• scissors
• current

How is cutout used in real life?

A cutout is an object that can take many forms and has a specialized meaning in engineering.

And now I will crawl into bed with only a life sized cardboard cutout of Beto O’Rourke to comfort me. Good night, kids. Big day tomorrow. Let’s do this. 💙💙💙

— billy eichner (@billyeichner) November 6, 2018

don't tell jacob but I'm getting him a cardboard cutout of pitbull for his birthday

— grant landis (@grantlandis) November 11, 2014

Today I worked on some cute paper cutout/collage art to sell at my merch table during fall tour. Hopefully you guys will like it!

— Lauren Fairweather (@laurenfairwx) October 12, 2011

 

 

Try using cutout!

Is cutout used correctly in the following sentence?

I cutout all the bad aspects of my life last year.