Exacto knife

noun

A type of utility knife that has small, nonretracting, interchangeable blades.

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Meanings

nounExacto knife (plural Exacto knives)

plural Exacto knives

  1. informalA type of utility knife that has small, nonretracting, interchangeable blades.

Origin

From the brand name X-Acto, from exact. That brand pioneered the form factor. This form of the name is a genericization, but the trademark is still active.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Exacto knife. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Exacto%20knife

MLA

“Exacto knife.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Exacto%20knife. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Exacto knife,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Exacto%20knife.

Source: Exacto knife on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.