Scissors: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for general cutting tasks, especially with paper, fabric, or thin materials. Common in schools, offices, and homes.

• I need scissors to cut this piece of paper
• The tailor used scissors to cut the fabric

Used for cutting tougher materials or larger objects, often in gardening or industrial settings. They are typically larger and more heavy-duty than scissors.

• The gardener used shears to prune the rose bushes
• Heavy-duty shears are needed to cut through thick fabric

Small cutting tools used for precise cuts in metalworking, crafting, and detailed work. They can be specific for certain tasks, such as tin snips for cutting metal.

• He used tin snips to cut the sheet metal
• Craft snips are great for detailed paper cutting

Usually used for cutting hair or trimming small plants and bushes. Common in barbershops, salons, and gardens.

• The barber used clippers to give him a haircut
• She used garden clippers to trim the small bushes

These are commonly used for general purposes, such as cutting paper, fabric, or thin materials at home, school, or in an office.

• Could you pass me the scissors so I can cut this paper?
• She used the scissors to trim the loose threads on her dress.

Shears are typically larger and more robust than regular scissors and are used for heavy-duty tasks such as cutting thick fabric, gardening, or even sheep shearing.

• The gardener used the shears to trim the hedges.
• Professional tailors often use fabric shears for precise cutting.

This term is often associated with tools used for cutting thicker or tougher materials, such as wire, metal, or plastic. These might be found in a toolkit or used for more industrial purposes.

• He grabbed the wire cutters to trim the electrical cables.
• The tile cutters made it easy to fit the new tiles perfectly.