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View synonyms for cutup

cutup

[ kuht-uhp ]

noun

, Informal.
  1. a prankster or show-off.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of cutup1

First recorded in 1775–85; noun use of verb phrase cut up
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Example Sentences

She was known in the large family as the goofy one, a cutup since a child when she would perform nightly skits.

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More About Cutup

What does cutup mean?

Cutup is an informal word for someone who’s known for being a jokester or prankster—someone who’s funny and also probably a bit mischievous.

Example: Jane is all business at the office but she’s a real cutup at parties—she’s so funny!

Less commonly, the noun cutup (especially when it’s hyphenated as cut-up) refers to an artwork composed from the arrangement of other separate pieces, especially a poem constructed from other works. This can also be called a cut-up poem. Such a work can be created with what’s called the cut-up technique.

The phrasal verb cut up has several different meanings, including, most straightforwardly, to cut something into smaller pieces. This sense of the phrase is sometimes used in the form of an adjective, in which case it’s hyphenated, as in I always pack some cut-up fruit in the kids’ lunches.

Where does cutup come from?

The first records of the word cutup in reference to a jokester come from around 1780. It comes from the sense of the phrasal verb cut up that means “to behave in a playful or mischievous way.”

As a noun, cutup can also refer to a kind of montage or series of clips that have been edited (cut) together, such as sports highlights or clips from a TV show.

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What are some other forms related to cutup?

  • cut-up (alternate hyphenated spelling)

What are some synonyms for cutup?

What are some words that share a root or word element with cutup

What are some words that often get used in discussing cutup?

How is cutup used in real life?

Cutup is informal. Calling someone a cutup often implies that they are a bit mischievous or irreverent.

Try using cutup!

Which of the following words is a synonym of cutup?

A. joker
B. jokester
C. prankster
D. all of the above

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cutty stoolcut-up poem