cookie-cutter

1 of 2

adjective

cook·​ie-cut·​ter ˈku̇-kē-ˌkə-tər How to pronounce cookie-cutter (audio)
: marked by lack of originality or distinction
cookie-cutter shopping malls

cookie cutter

2 of 2

noun

: a device used to cut rolled cookie dough into shapes before baking

Examples of cookie-cutter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The flex plan, Dewberry acknowledged, can never be quite as easy or straightforward as the old, cookie-cutter 12-hour shifts. Jane Thier, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024 The blessing is that Buckley, Colman, Spall and Vasan are expert enough that dimensional character work still peeks through the vibe of cookie-cutter idiosyncrasy. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024 It was erected in an era when many other cities had built round, cookie-cutter stadiums. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024 But the researchers saw another more obvious, less natural distinction: all but one of the 49 whales surveyed sported bite marks from cookie-cutter sharks. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024 Respect Your Roots The hottest hotels are a far cry from cookie-cutter, so shouldn’t your bedroom have a one-of-a-kind look, too? Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 Enter Valentine’s Day, a generic, cookie-cutter rip-off filled to the brim with A-list stars and Oscar winners. Janey Tracey, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2024 All that cookie-cutter Mattel Modernism, thankfully, is interrupted by Weird Barbie‘s angular hilltop home, which appears to marry German Expressionism with Postmodern design — in my view, the most interesting home in the movie. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Every surgeon has evolved their own technique, but one thing that remains is an understanding that there may not be a single cookie-cutter technique for the perfect facelift. Meirav Devash, Allure, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Form the holes with a small cookie cutter or piping tip. Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024 Throw in a few cookie cutters too so they can get started on their first baking project. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024 Photos show the home is far from cookie cutter, outfitted with colorful teal and pink upholstered seating and gallery walls filled with artwork. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024 Child abuse and neglect isn't always cut and dry, cookie cutter scenarios. Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 Use a heart cookie cutter set to create festive designs. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2024 Cut into football shapes using a 3-inch oval cookie cutter. Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2023 Where to buy: Hexagon cookie cutters and fondant or clay cutters can be found online and at baking supply stores. Alana Allred, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2023 Use different-size star cookie cutters to create the topping, then cut out smaller stars to edge the pie. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cookie-cutter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cookie-cutter was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near cookie-cutter

cookie

cookie-cutter

cookie cutter

Cite this Entry

“Cookie-cutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cookie-cutter. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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