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Meaning & use

cutting-edge

adjective, noun·Advanced

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UK/ˌkʌtɪŋ ˈedʒ/
US/ˌkʌtɪŋ ˈedʒ/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a nounapproving

    Using the newest and most advanced ideas, methods, or equipment in a field.

    Grammar: Usually before a noun with a hyphen: cutting-edge research.

    Patterns

    • cutting-edge technology
    • cutting-edge research

    The hospital uses cutting-edge equipment to scan patients.

    She works at a cutting-edge design studio.

    Their cutting-edge software changed the industry.

  2. nounsingular

    The most advanced stage of development in a field, written as cutting edge.

    Grammar: As a noun usually written without a hyphen, with the: at the cutting edge of science.

    Patterns

    • at the cutting edge of something

    The lab is at the cutting edge of cancer research.

    Few firms stay at the cutting edge for long.

    He has always been at the cutting edge of fashion.

Common combinations

cutting-edge technology
The phone includes cutting-edge technology.
cutting-edge research
Cutting-edge research is done at this university.
at the cutting edge
The company has stayed at the cutting edge of design.
cutting-edge design
The building has a cutting-edge design.
cutting-edge science
Cutting-edge science often starts as a theory.

Synonyms and how they differ

state-of-the-art
State-of-the-art describes the best available now, while cutting-edge suggests pioneering and still developing.
innovative
Innovative stresses new ideas, while cutting-edge stresses being at the front of progress.
advanced
Advanced is a plainer word and does not suggest newness as strongly.
pioneering
Pioneering suggests being first to do something, whereas cutting-edge can describe something already in use.

Opposites

outdatedold-fashionedobsolete

Word family

edge noun
the outer limit or advantage
leading-edge adjective
a close variant meaning at the front of development
bleeding-edge adjective
so new that it is risky

Commonly confused: cutting-edge or bleeding-edge?

cutting-edge vs bleeding-edge

Bleeding-edge goes a step further than cutting-edge and warns that the technology may be unproven.

Practice

The lab bought ____ equipment that few other labs in the country owned yet.

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