scissors

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   A tool with two blades joined in the middle that cut when you squeeze the handles together.

   Grammar: Takes a plural verb: the scissors are sharp; say a pair of scissors for one.

   Patterns

   • a pair of scissors
   • cut something with scissors

   Can you pass me the scissors?

   She cut the ribbon with a pair of scissors.

   These scissors are too dull for fabric.

2. 2nounpluralsport

   A movement or hold in which the legs or arms close like blades, used in sport.

   Grammar: Usually appears in compounds: scissor kick, scissors hold.

   Patterns

   • a scissors kick

   The swimmer used a scissors kick on her side.

   The wrestler locked him in a scissors hold.

   The gymnast finished with a scissors jump.

Common combinations

pair of scissors

Bring a pair of scissors to the workshop.

sharp scissors

Sharp scissors make clean cuts.

kitchen scissors

I cut the herbs with kitchen scissors.

cut with scissors

Cut the paper with scissors, not a knife.

rock, paper, scissors

We played rock, paper, scissors to decide who went first.

Synonyms and how they differ

shears

Shears are larger scissors used for hedges, sheep or heavy fabric.

clippers

Clippers cut by squeezing blades together, often for nails, hair or hedges, and are not always hinged like scissors.

snips

Snips are small, strong scissors for metal or wire.

Word family

scissor verb

to cut with scissors or move legs like blades

scissor noun

singular form used before another noun, as in scissor kick

scissor-like adjective

resembling scissors

Commonly confused: scissors or scissor?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “scissors”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words