scissorsnoun
American /ˈsɪz.ɚz/ British /ˈsɪz.əz/
plural only
a tool for cutting paper, cloth, or hair, made of two blades joined in the middle, which you open and close with your fingers
- Where are the scissors? I need to cut this string. (plural verb)
- These scissors are not sharp enough for cloth.
- This pair of scissors is too small for the job. (a pair of scissors takes a singular verb)
- The children used scissors with round ends.
Collocations
adjective + noun sharp scissors, small scissors, kitchen scissors, nail scissorsCompare shears (shears are large scissors for cutting cloth, bushes, or the wool of sheep)
Usage
Scissors is plural only and takes a plural verb: the scissors are in the drawer. To count them, or when you need a singular, say a pair of scissors, two pairs of scissors; a pair of scissors takes a singular verb: this pair is blunt. Scissor without s appears before another noun, as in scissor kick or scissor lift, and as the verb to scissor, meaning to move or cut in a scissor-like way.
Common mistakes
For translators
Grammar trap Plural only: the scissors are, these scissors, some scissors. There is no singular noun a scissor for the tool; scissor alone appears only before another noun (scissor kick). Count with pairs: a pair of scissors, three pairs of scissors. The same rule applies to pants, glasses (for the eyes), and tongs.