What does "scissors" mean?
A tool used for cutting thin material, consisting of two crossing blades attached at a pivot point in such a way that the blades slide across each other when the handles are closed.
Scissors
/ˈsɪzɚz/ intj, noun, verb
intj, noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A tool used for cutting thin material, consisting of two crossing blades attached at a pivot point in such a way that the blades slide across each other when the handles are closed.
- Grammar: scissors is listed as intj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: clip, cut, cut tool, cutters.
- Useful contrasts: bind, join, keep.
- Usage evidence: There is a pair of scissors on the desk.
How to use "scissors"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "scissors" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "scissors" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "scissors" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "scissors" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "scissors" is acting as intj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "clip" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "scissors", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A tool used for cutting thin material, consisting of two crossing blades attached at a pivot point in such a way that the blades slide across each other when the handles are closed. countable, plural, plural-only, usually
"Near-synonym: shears"
- 2 plural of scissor form-of, plural, rare
- 3 a gymnastic exercise performed on the pommel horse when the gymnast moves their legs as the blades of scissors move wordnet
- 4 A type of defensive maneuver in dogfighting, involving repeatedly turning one's aircraft towards that of the attacker in order to force them to overshoot. plural, plural-only, uncountable
- 5 a wrestling hold in which you wrap your legs around the opponents body or head and put your feet together and squeeze wordnet
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 An instance of the above dogfighting maneuver. countable, plural, plural-only
- 7 an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades wordnet
- 8 An attacking move conducted by two players; the player without the ball runs from one side of the ball carrier, behind the ball carrier, and receives a pass from the ball carrier on the other side. countable, plural, plural-only
"They executed a perfect scissors."
- 9 A method of skating with one foot significantly in front of the other. countable, plural, plural-only
- 10 An exercise in which the legs are switched back and forth, suggesting the motion of scissors. countable, plural, plural-only
- 11 A scissors hold. countable, plural, plural-only
- 12 A hand with the index and middle fingers open (a handshape resembling scissors), that beats paper and loses to rock. It beats lizard and loses to Spock in rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock. plural, plural-only
Verb
- 1 Rare form of scissor (“to cut using, or as if using, scissors”). form-of, rare, transitive
"She found her in the dining-room with Ann Foster, the little dressmaker, who was endeavouring to scissors through the right side of her underlip with her teeth as proof that the compiling of a list of requisites was no tax to her."
- 2 third-person singular simple present indicative of scissor form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Intj
- 1 Cry of anguish or frustration. dated
"Say, wouldn’t it put your eye out to get a letter from one of the kiddies with the thumb‐prints of that crest not doing a thing but snuggling down in the wax on the envelope? Oh, scissors!"
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"There is a pair of scissors on the desk."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "scissors"?
Common synonyms include: clip, cut, cut tool, cutters, cutting tool, delete.
How do you use "scissors" in a sentence?
There is a pair of scissors on the desk.
How do you pronounce "scissors"?
Pronounced /ˈsɪzɚz/.
Etymology
From Middle English sisours (attested since 1350–1400), from Old French cisoirs, from Late Latin cīsōria, plural of cīsōrium (“cutting tool”); from Latin word root -cīsus (compare excise) or caesus, past participle of caedō (“to cut”). Partially displaced native Old English sċēara (“scissors, shears”), whence shears. Doublet of chisel. The current spelling, from the 16th century, is due to association with Medieval Latin scissor (“tailor”), from Latin carrying the meaning “carver, cutter”, from scindō (“to split”).