Phrase guide

cut away

verb · 4 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

verb

Meaning 1

To fail to show something; to stop before showing something; to leave a scene; to switch to a different scene quickly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: recorded media

Examples

  • The camera cut away before we could see the reveal.
  • The movie cuts away too much and too quickly without letting scenes breathe.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

to cut out something; to remove all or portions of a damaged or diseased area by cutting

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

remove by cutting off or away

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • cut away the branch that sticks out

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cut

Narrower terms: undercut

4

verb

Meaning 4

move quickly to another scene or focus when filming

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • `cut away now!' the director shouted

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cut

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.