What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
saber
Example
The cavalry officer drew his saber and charged into battle. [saber: noun]
Example
She learned how to saber fences in her fencing class. [saber: verb]
cutlass
Example
The pirate brandished his cutlass and demanded the crew's surrender. [cutlass: noun]
Example
He used a cutlass to hack through the thick jungle undergrowth. [cutlass: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Saber is more commonly used than cutlass in everyday language, although both words are relatively uncommon outside of specific contexts such as history, literature, or fencing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between saber and cutlass?
Both saber and cutlass are associated with formal or historical contexts, but saber may be slightly more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
