xun zi
B1neutral
Definition
Meaning
A tool used for cutting, consisting of two pivoted blades.
A gymnastic exercise where legs move like scissors; a type of tackle in sports; a method of drawing lots; a scissors grip.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always plural in form, takes plural verb (e.g., 'These scissors are sharp'). Can be singular when referring to a single tool (a pair of scissors).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: 'Scissors' often implies a domestic/office tool. US: May use 'scissors' more broadly, including for heavy-duty models. In US sports contexts, 'scissor move' more common.
Connotations
UK: Associated with crafts, school, household. US: Associated with school, arts, general cutting tasks.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US English due to DIY culture references.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] cut [NP] with scissors[NP] use scissors to [V-inf]a pair of scissors [V-pl]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “running with scissors (dangerous behavior)”
- “scissors and paste (derivative work)”
- “scissors crisis (economics term)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In office supplies, stationary procurement.
Academic
In art, design, biology (dissection), economics (scissors crisis model).
Everyday
Cutting paper, fabric, hair, opening packages.
Technical
Medical/surgical instruments, metal shears in engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The defender scissored the ball away from the attacker.
- She scissored through the thick cardboard.
American English
- He scissored the ribbon at the grand opening.
- The gymnast scissored her legs perfectly.
adjective
British English
- The scissor mechanism was jammed.
- They performed a scissor movement drill.
American English
- It was a scissor-cut design.
- The scissor lift malfunctioned.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Pass me the scissors, please.
- We need scissors to cut the paper.
- These scissors aren't sharp enough to cut fabric.
- She used kitchen scissors to open the package.
- The surgeon reached for the sterile surgical scissors.
- The graph showed a classic scissors crisis in commodity prices.
- His thesis employed a scissors-and-paste methodology, lacking original analysis.
- The figure skater's routine included a flawless scissors jump.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two 'C's cutting like blades: S C iSSorS.
Conceptual Metaphor
Separation, division, precision, danger (when misused).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: 'ножницы' (nozhnitsy) is always plural, same grammatical treatment.
- Avoid 'scissor' singular without 'pair of'.
- Don't translate 'ножницы' as 'knives'.
Common Mistakes
- *a scissor (correct: a pair of scissors)
- *scissors is (correct: scissors are)
- *scissor it (correct: cut it with scissors)
Practice
Quiz
Which verb form is correct?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun (e.g., 'The scissors are here'). To refer to one item, say 'a pair of scissors'.
No, in standard modern English, 'scissor' is not used as a singular noun for the tool. Use 'a pair of scissors' or 'scissors' as a plural.
Generally, 'shears' are larger, heavier-duty cutting tools for fabric, metal, or gardening, while 'scissors' are smaller for general/domestic use.
It comes from the Old French 'cisoires', which was plural. The tool inherently has two blades, so the plural form became fixed in English.