A single-cylinder circular machine for knitting, hosiery or the like, with a device for actuating the cutter mounted on the dial comprises: a needle cylinder, which can be rotationally actuated about its own axis; a dial, which is arranged above the needle cylinder and is supported so that it can rotate about its own axis; and a cutter for cutting the yarns, which is mounted coaxially on the dial and is provided with cutting teeth arranged around its own axis. The machine has a device which comprises an actuation for the cutter with a rotary motion about its own axis with a rotation rate which can be diversified from the rotation rate of the needle cylinder, in order to vary the length of the trailing portion of yarn that lies between the last needle of the machine taking up the yarn and the blade cooperating with the cutter in cutting the yarn. IPC D04B.