Phrase guide

cutting edge

adj · noun · 5 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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1

adj

Meaning 1

Alternative form of cutting-edge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The sharp edge of the blade of a knife or other cutting tool.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic, often

Examples

  • The company prides itself for staying at the cutting edge of technology.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

the sharp cutting side of the blade of a knife

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: knife edge

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: edge

5

noun

Meaning 5

the position of greatest importance or advancement; the leading position in any movement or field

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the Cotswolds were once at the forefront of woollen manufacturing in England
  • the idea of motion was always to the forefront of his mind and central to his philosophy

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: vanguard, forefront

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: position, view, perspective

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

49 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Southern Altai: мис (mis) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Arabic: نَصْل (naṣl) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Azerbaijani: tiyə — sharp edge of the blade
  • Azerbaijani: ağız — sharp edge of the blade
  • Chinese Mandarin: 刀口 (dāokǒu) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Chinese Mandarin: 刃口 (rènkǒu) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Chinese Mandarin: 刀刃 (dāorèn) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Czech: ostří — sharp edge of the blade
  • Danish: æg — sharp edge of the blade
  • Esperanto: akraĵo — sharp edge of the blade
  • Esperanto: tranĉrando — sharp edge of the blade
  • Finnish: teräpuoli — sharp edge of the blade
  • Finnish: leikkaava reuna — sharp edge of the blade
  • Finnish: leikkaava terä — sharp edge of the blade
  • French: lame — sharp edge of the blade
  • Greek: κοπτική ακμή (koptikí akmí) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Ingrian: nenä — sharp edge of the blade
  • Italian: lama — sharp edge of the blade
  • Nogai: биз (biz) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Polish: ostra krawędź noża — sharp edge of the blade
  • Portuguese: corte — sharp edge of the blade
  • Portuguese: gume — sharp edge of the blade
  • Russian: остриё (ostrijó) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Spanish: filo — sharp edge of the blade
  • Swahili: makali — sharp edge of the blade
  • Turkish: kılağı — sharp edge of the blade
  • Turkish: yalman — sharp edge of the blade
  • Ottoman Turkish: قلاغی (kılağı) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Ottoman Turkish: كسكین (keskin) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Tuvan: бис (bis) — sharp edge of the blade
  • Vietnamese: lưỡi — sharp edge of the blade
  • Chinese Mandarin: 尖端 (jiānduān) — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Chinese Mandarin: 前沿 (qiányán) — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Chinese Mandarin: 最前沿 (zuìqiányán) — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Chinese Mandarin: 最尖端 (zuìjiānduān) — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Czech: čelo — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Danish: forkant — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Danish: første klasse — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Finnish: kärki — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Finnish: terävin kärki — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Finnish: eturintama — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • French: pointe — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Greek: στην αιχμή της τεχνολογίας (stin aichmí tis technologías) — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Italian: avanguardia — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Polish: czołówka — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Portuguese: ponta de linha — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Spanish: vanguardia — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Vietnamese: cấp tiến — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field
  • Vietnamese: tối tân — forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field