剪刀
Scissors are a tool with two sharp blades used for cutting things like paper or hair.
Explanation at your level:
Scissors are for cutting. You use them for paper. They are sharp, so be careful! You say 'a pair of scissors' when you want to use them.
You use scissors to make crafts. If you are cutting cloth, you need 'fabric scissors.' Always keep them in a safe place because they are sharp tools.
In daily life, scissors are essential for opening packages or trimming loose threads. Remember that they are a plural noun, so you should say 'These scissors are sharp' rather than 'This scissor is sharp.'
Beyond the literal tool, scissors appear in various technical contexts, such as 'surgical scissors' in medicine or 'hairdressing scissors' in professional salons. Mastering the 'pair of' construction is a hallmark of reaching B2 fluency.
The term scissors is often used metaphorically in finance or logistics to describe the divergence of two variables. Understanding the nuance of 'shearing' vs 'cutting' helps in technical writing where precision is required.
Historically, the evolution of scissors reflects human innovation in metallurgy and ergonomics. In literature, the 'scissors of fate' is a classic trope referencing the Greek Moirai, who cut the thread of life, showing how the word carries deep symbolic weight.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Scissors are a tool.
- Always use 'a pair of'.
- They are plural.
- Used for cutting.
When you need to cut something, scissors are usually your go-to tool! They consist of two sharp blades that move back and forth to snip through materials like paper, fabric, or hair.
Think of them as a pair of knives working together. Because they are made of two matching parts, we always call them a pair of scissors, which is a unique quirk of English grammar.
The word scissors comes from the Old French word cisoires, which refers to cutting instruments. It has roots in the Latin word caedere, meaning 'to cut.'
Interestingly, early versions of scissors date back to ancient Egypt and Rome. They were originally made as a single piece of metal, like a spring-loaded set of tweezers, before the modern 'pivot' design became standard in the Middle Ages.
You will most often hear people say 'get the scissors' or 'pass me the scissors.' In a professional or craft setting, you might hear 'sharp scissors' or 'blunt scissors' to describe their condition.
It is important to remember that you cannot just say 'a scissor.' You must say 'a pair of scissors' or simply 'the scissors' to sound natural to native speakers.
While not a common idiom, you might hear the phrase 'run with scissors' used as a warning to be careful. Another expression is 'the scissors effect' in economics, describing when two trends move in opposite directions.
In sports, a 'scissor kick' is a specific movement used in swimming or soccer where the legs move like the blades of the tool.
The word scissors is a 'plurale tantum,' meaning it only exists in the plural form. You cannot use 'a' before it; instead, use 'a pair of.'
The pronunciation is /ˈsɪzərz/ in both US and UK English. It rhymes with words like wizzers or fizzers. The emphasis is always on the first syllable.
Fun Fact
The word was originally spelled 'sisours'.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'i' sound, soft 'z's.
Clearer 'r' sound at the end.
Common Errors
- pronouncing the 'c'
- making it singular
- stressing the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Basic
Common
Common
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Plurale Tantum
scissors, pants, glasses
Examples by Level
I use scissors to cut paper.
I use [tool] to cut [material].
Plural noun usage.
Where are the scissors?
Asking for location.
Plural verb 'are'.
These scissors are sharp.
Describing the tool.
Demonstrative pronoun 'these'.
I need a pair of scissors.
Quantifier usage.
A pair of.
Do not run with scissors.
Safety warning.
Imperative sentence.
My scissors are red.
Describing color.
Possessive adjective.
Can I borrow your scissors?
Asking for help.
Modal verb 'can'.
The scissors are on the desk.
Stating location.
Definite article 'the'.
Pass me the scissors, please.
I bought new scissors today.
These scissors don't cut well.
Be careful with those scissors.
Where did you put the scissors?
I lost my pair of scissors.
She is using the scissors for art.
The scissors are in the drawer.
I need to sharpen these scissors.
Could you hand me the scissors?
She carefully used the scissors to trim the fabric.
The scissors were left on the cutting board.
Do you have a pair of scissors handy?
These are professional-grade scissors.
He accidentally cut his finger with the scissors.
Keep the scissors away from the children.
The tailor picked up his shears, which are large scissors.
The economic gap is widening like a pair of open scissors.
She used the scissors to snip the ribbon.
The design requires precise use of scissors.
Make sure the scissors are sterilized before use.
His haircut was done entirely with scissors.
The scissors snapped during the craft project.
I prefer using left-handed scissors.
The surgeon requested the surgical scissors for the procedure.
The divergence in market prices created a scissors effect.
She wielded the scissors with the precision of a master artisan.
The imagery of the scissors cutting the thread is quite poignant.
We need to calibrate the tension of the scissors.
The scissors are ergonomically designed for long-term use.
Her critique was sharp, like a pair of scissors.
The industry is facing a scissors crisis of rising costs and falling demand.
The etymological roots of scissors trace back to ancient shearing tools.
The imagery of the Fates wielding their scissors is a staple of classical literature.
The mechanical failure of the scissors was due to metal fatigue.
He spoke with a dry wit that acted like scissors to the conversation.
The scissors-like movement of the bird's wings was mesmerizing.
The artisan crafted the scissors from high-carbon steel.
The structural integrity of the scissors depends on the central pivot.
She navigated the complex legal landscape with the precision of a pair of scissors.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"run with scissors"
to behave recklessly/dangerously
Don't run with scissors, you might fall!
casual"the scissors effect"
diverging trends
The market shows a scissors effect.
formal"scissor kick"
a swimming or soccer movement
He performed a perfect scissor kick.
neutral"cut with scissors"
to divide
Just cut it with scissors.
neutral"scissors-paper-rock"
the game
Let's play scissors-paper-rock to decide.
casual"scissor-tail"
a type of bird movement
The bird had a scissor-tail motion.
neutralEasily Confused
Both cut.
Shears are for heavy work.
Use shears for the hedge.
Both cut.
Clippers are for hair/nails.
Use clippers for your nails.
Sentence Patterns
Pass me the [noun].
Pass me the scissors.
These [noun] are [adjective].
These scissors are sharp.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Scissors is a plural noun.
Needs plural verb.
Countable as pairs.
Never use singular form.
Always plural.
Tips
The Pair Rule
Always treat scissors like pants or glasses; they are a pair!
Visual Linking
Draw two 'S' letters crossing to remember the spelling.
Avoid Singular
Never use 'a scissor'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Two blades, two 's' sounds at the start and end.
Visual Association
Imagine two 's' shapes crossing each other like blades.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find 3 things in your room that you can cut with scissors.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: cutting instrument
Cultural Context
None, generally considered a safe household object.
Commonly associated with school supplies and safety warnings for children.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- Where are the scissors?
- Need to cut paper.
- Be careful.
Kitchen
- Kitchen scissors.
- Cut the herbs.
- Open the bag.
Conversation Starters
"Do you have a pair of scissors?"
"What do you use scissors for most often?"
"Have you ever used left-handed scissors?"
Journal Prompts
Describe the last thing you cut with scissors.
Why is it important to use scissors safely?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsBecause it has two blades joined together.
No, that is incorrect.
Always plural.
Yes, they are designed differently.
Shears are usually larger and for heavy-duty work.
You can use a sharpening stone or cut through sandpaper.
Usually no, check airline rules.
The design evolved over thousands of years.
Test Yourself
I need a ___ of scissors.
We use 'pair' for scissors.
Which sentence is correct?
Scissors is always plural.
You can say 'I have one scissor'.
It must be 'a pair of scissors'.
Word
Meaning
Vocabulary matching.
Correct imperative structure.
Score: /5
Summary
Always remember that scissors are a 'pair' and never use the singular form.
- Scissors are a tool.
- Always use 'a pair of'.
- They are plural.
- Used for cutting.
The Pair Rule
Always treat scissors like pants or glasses; they are a pair!
Visual Linking
Draw two 'S' letters crossing to remember the spelling.
Avoid Singular
Never use 'a scissor'.
