What does undercut mean?
Undercut is chiefly a verb meaning to weaken something by reducing its effectiveness, value, or position. In business contexts it often means to sell at a lower price than a competitor, while in political and strategic contexts it means to undermine an opponent's support or advantage. The word can also describe the literal action of cutting beneath a surface, as in carving or hairdressing. Although less frequent than the verb, the noun “undercut” denotes a cut made below a surface, especially the hairstyle in which the sides are cut very short and the top remains longer. A rare adjectival use means “lower than the standard,” especially of a price. Across these uses, undercut suggests an attack from below: it may describe either a physical removal of material from beneath something or a strategic reduction of another person's or business's strength. This makes it more specific than the broader “undermine” in many commercial contexts, where reducing a rival's price advantage is the immediate mechanism, while usually implying a deliberate and effective challenge.
To weaken or reduce the effectiveness, value, support, or position of something; to compete by offering a lower price; or to cut beneath a surface.
"The retailer undercut its competitors by reducing prices during the sale."
Usually transitive. Its commercial use specifically implies offering a lower price or reducing a competitor's price advantage.
A cut made beneath or from below a surface; especially, a hairstyle in which the hair is cut very short at the sides while remaining longer on top; also, a golf shot that sends the ball backward from its previous position.
"He asked the barber for an undercut."
The noun is much less common than the verb and is chiefly associated with hairdressing, carving, and golf.
Lower than the standard or prevailing price.
"The company advertised the service at an undercut rate."
This is a rare use, largely confined to pricing contexts; “below the standard rate” is more usual in neutral prose.
The regular plural of the noun, used for multiple cuts, hairstyles, or golf shots.
"Several of the men sported undercuts."
From cutting material away beneath a surface to attacking a rival from below, undercut turns the idea of going underneath into a strategy of quiet weakening.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does undercut come from?
Undercut is an English compound formed from the established words under and cut, and it was recorded from the early 17th century. Its literal sense was to cut below a surface. Figurative uses for weakening someone's position and offering lower prices developed from the idea of acting from beneath.
Related word forms
How undercut is actually used
The verb is common in formal commercial, political, and strategic prose. It is usually transitive and suggests a deliberate weakening: undercutting a rival's price may be literal, while undercutting confidence or support is figurative. The noun and adjective are much less frequent and are chiefly associated with hairdressing, pricing, and golf.