noun
cutlass
KUHT-luhs
Cutlass (noun) means a short sword with a curved blade, historically used by sailors. Example: “The pirate brandished a rusty cutlass.”
noun
1
A short sword with a curved blade, historically used by sailors.
"She could feel Tern’s stare fixed right between her shoulder blades, and knew he was aching to plunge his cutlass there."
— Sarah J. Maas, Queen of Shadows (2015)
"The pirate brandished a rusty cutlass."
How to use cutlass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short curved sword, classically linked with sailors and pirates.
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Word forms
- Plural
- cutlasses
- Third person singular
- cutlasses
- Past tense
- cutlassed
Fill the gap
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The pirate brandished a rusty _____.
Etymology
From Middle French coutelas, from Old French coutel, "knife," with an augmentative ending meaning roughly "big knife."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “cutlass” mean?
The word “cutlass” means a short sword with a curved blade, historically used by sailors. In plain terms, a short curved sword, classically linked with sailors and pirates.
How do you pronounce “cutlass”?
“Cutlass” is pronounced KUHT-luhs (/ˈkʌtləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “cutlass” in a sentence?
Here is “cutlass” used in a sentence: “The pirate brandished a rusty cutlass.”
What is another word for “cutlass”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cutlass” include cuttoe and hanger.
What part of speech is “cutlass”?
“Cutlass” is a noun.
Where does the word “cutlass” come from?
The word “cutlass” comes from Old French. From Middle French coutelas, from Old French coutel, "knife," with an augmentative ending meaning roughly "big knife.".
