Phrase guide

cut and dried

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Simple, straightforward, clear, or certain.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • Take care when guessing, since problems do not always have cut-and-dried answers.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: clear cut, open-and-shut, res ipsa loquitur

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Decided, not open to change.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: set, settled

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Lacking freshness or spontaneity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

First use appears c. 1643. Derives from herbs being cut and dried for sale, rather than fresh.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: klar — defined clearly
  • German: eindeutig — defined clearly
  • Greek: ευσαφής (efsafís) — defined clearly
  • Serbo-Croatian: bjelodan — defined clearly
  • German: entschieden — decided, not open to change
  • German: abgemacht — decided, not open to change
  • German: festgelegt — decided, not open to change