WordGarden.iocutaway
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈʌtəwˌeɪ/
US
- /ˈkətəweɪ/
Meanings
Noun
an illustration, model, or view with part removed to show the inside
a film or television shot that briefly shifts away from the main action
a coat or jacket cut back at the front, especially in formal dress
Adjective
drawn or made with part removed so the inside can be seen
Beyond the definition
Imagine building a model airplane—you don't show everything inside, right? A "cutaway" is like removing a piece of the shell so you can see the inner parts. It is a visual technique used in illustrations and diagrams where parts of an outer layer are removed on purpose to show what is hidden inside. Think of it as a peek behind the curtain! You will often see cutaway drawings of car engines, appliances, or buildings to explain how they work.
The term also transitions from the drawing board to the screen and the closet. In filmmaking, a "cutaway shot" is a quick shift away from the main action to show a related detail, like a close-up of a ringing phone, and then it returns to the main scene. In fashion, it describes garments with sections deliberately removed—like a dress with a "cutaway" back—to create a certain shape or show skin. And for musicians, a cutaway guitar body has a curved notch that lets your hand reach the higher frets more easily.
The word "cutaway" revolves around the theme of deliberate removal to reveal something hidden or to serve a functional purpose. Most commonly, it refers to a type of technical illustration where sections of an object's exterior are omitted to expose its internal structure. These drawings are essential in engineering and architecture, as they allow a viewer to understand the relationship between internal components, such as the pistons within an engine or the wiring inside a wall.
Beyond diagrams, "cutaway" is a vital term in several other fields. In the film industry, a "cutaway" is a shot that briefly interrupts the principal scene to show something else—a reaction, an object, or a secondary action—before returning to the original shot. This helps with pacing and provides necessary context. For musicians, a "cutaway" refers to a specific indentation in the body of an acoustic or electric guitar, which allows the player's hand to reach the higher frets more easily.
In fashion, the term describes a style of tailoring, such as a "cutaway coat" (where the front slopes away from the waist) or garments with sections "cut away" to reveal the shoulders or waistline. Finally, the term has a high-stakes meaning in skydiving: a "cutaway" is the emergency procedure of releasing the main parachute to allow the reserve parachute to deploy safely. Whether it is clarifying a complex machine, aiding a guitarist's reach, or saving a life, a "cutaway" always involves a strategic removal to achieve a specific outcome.
Examples
- 1
Film editing
The editor inserted a quick cutaway to the audience before returning to the singer.
- 2
Technical drawing
In the manual, a cutaway drawing shows how the parts fit together inside the engine.
- Phrasecutaway drawing
a picture with part of the outside removed so you can see inside
- 3
Documentary footage
The documentary uses cutaway shots of old family photos while people are speaking.
See also
Similar
- sectional view
- cross section
Shades of meaning
- section drawing
- interior view
Contrast
- exterior view
Used with (collocations)
- cutaway diagram
- cutaway view
- cutaway model
Explore
- exploded view
- technical illustration
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- cutawaynoun