adjective

cutting edge

KUT-ing EJ

Cutting edge (adjective) means So new and advanced that nothing else has gone further; at the front of what is currently possible in a field. Usually written with a hyphen before a noun. Example: “The lab uses cutting-edge gene-editing techniques.”

adjective

So new and advanced that nothing else has gone further; at the front of what is currently possible in a field. Usually written with a hyphen before a noun.

"The lab uses cutting-edge gene-editing techniques."

"Their graphics were cutting-edge in 2010 and look dated now."

noun

The most advanced position in the development of something, where new work is being done first.

"The company sat at the cutting edge of battery research for a decade."

The sharpened edge of a blade or tool, the part that does the cutting.

"Keep the cutting edge away from you when you sharpen a chisel."

How to use cutting edge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe newest and most advanced there is.

When to use it

Neutral, though heavily worn down by marketing use.

Easily confused with

bleeding edge state-of-the-art →

Common pairings

cutting-edge technology cutting-edge research at the cutting edge of

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The company sat at the _____ of battery research for a decade.

Synonyms

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state-of-the-art leading-edge advanced pioneering groundbreaking forefront vanguard frontier

Antonyms

outdated obsolete old-fashioned

Related words

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Rhymes for cutting edge

edge wedge hedge ledge pledge dredge sledge Rutledge knowledge acknowledge

See all rhymes for cutting edge →

Frequently asked questions

Is cutting edge hyphenated?

Hyphenate it when it comes before the noun it describes: cutting-edge technology. Leave the hyphen out when it stands as a noun after the verb: their research is at the cutting edge.

What is the difference between cutting edge and bleeding edge?

Both mean the very newest technology, but bleeding edge adds the idea of risk. Bleeding-edge tools are so new that they are still unstable and early adopters get hurt by the bugs, whereas cutting-edge simply means most advanced.

What is the meaning of cutting edge?

"cutting edge" (adjective) means so new and advanced that nothing else has gone further; at the front of what is currently possible in a field. Usually written with a hyphen before a noun.

What is another word for cutting edge?

Other words for "cutting edge" include state-of-the-art, leading-edge, advanced, pioneering, groundbreaking, forefront.

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