cutup

American  

[kuht-uhp] / ˈkʌtˌʌp /

noun

Informal.

1. a prankster or show-off.

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Usage

What does cutup mean? Cutup is an informal word for someone who’s known for being a jokester or prankster—someone who’s funny and also probably a bit mischievous.Example: Jane is all business at the office but she’s a real cutup at parties—she’s so funny!Less commonly, the noun cutup (especially when it’s hyphenated as cut-up) refers to an artwork composed from the arrangement of other separate pieces, especially a poem constructed from other works. This can also be called a cut-up poem. Such a work can be created with what’s called the cut-up technique.The phrasal verb cut up has several different meanings, including, most straightforwardly, to cut something into smaller pieces. This sense of the phrase is sometimes used in the form of an adjective, in which case it’s hyphenated, as in I always pack some cut-up fruit in the kids’ lunches.

Etymology

Origin of cutup

First recorded in 1775–85; noun use of verb phrase cut up

Example Sentences

A slightly awkward cutup, she betrays some of the same resistance that Louise has shown when thrust against her will into yet another inane kiddie act.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2025

She was the candid cutup they’d like to have on speed-dial.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2024

People dressed in all black wielding shields of cutup trash cans formed a barricade around the Quad to protect the encampment against possible counterprotesters.

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2024

She started collaging parts of cutup garments to her canvases, fitting them together like puzzles, letting their welted seams define taut shapes that now extend edge to edge.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2021

Behind them along the narrow, sodden, cutup forest road came hussars in threes and fours, and then Cossacks: some in felt cloaks, some in French greatcoats, and some with horsecloths over their heads.

From War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo, graf