Shears: meaning, definitions and examples

Shears are typically used for larger cutting tasks such as trimming hedges, pruning trees, or cutting larger branches. They often have long handles to provide leverage for tougher cuts.

• He used a pair of shears to prune the overgrown hedge in the garden.
• The gardener sharpened his shears before cutting the thick branches of the tree.

Scissors are versatile cutting tools primarily used for cutting paper, fabric, or other thin materials. They come in various sizes and types, with shorter blades for more intricate cutting.

• She used scissors to cut out the paper snowflakes.
• The tailor picked up her fabric scissors to start the new dress pattern.

Trimmers are commonly used for precise cutting tasks like shaping hair, grooming beards, or trimming small bushes. They can be manual or electric and are designed for finer, detailed work.

• He bought new trimmers to shape his beard more precisely.
• The electric trimmers made it easy to give the hedge a perfect shape.

Clippers are smaller cutting tools, often used for more detailed work such as trimming hair, nails, or small plants. They can be manual or electric.

• I need new clippers to trim my dog's fur.
• She used nail clippers to keep her nails neat and tidy.

Typically used for heavy-duty cutting tasks, such as in gardening or sheep shearing, where larger, robust tools are needed.

• The gardener used shears to trim the hedges.
• Sheep shears are essential on a farm during the shearing season.

Commonly used for everyday cutting tasks, such as cutting paper, fabric, or other light materials in domestic, office, or school settings.

• She grabbed the scissors to cut the wrapping paper.
• The teacher gave each student a pair of scissors for the art project.

A general term that can refer to various types of cutting tools, usually used in mechanical or workshop settings.

• Tin cutters are great for cutting metal sheets.
• He used wire cutters to trim the electrical wires.

Small cutting tools designed for fine or precise cutting tasks, often used in sewing, crafting, or trimming small plants.

• He used snips to make delicate cuts on the fabric.
• Garden snips are perfect for pruning flowers.

Shears are used mainly in gardening or when handling thick materials such as fabric or wool. They are larger and have strong blades designed for more heavy-duty tasks.

• She used the garden shears to prune the overgrown bushes.
• The tailor grabbed the shears to cut through the thick fabric.

Shave is most commonly used when referring to removing hair from the skin, typically using a razor. It implies a close cut to the skin.

• He decided to shave his beard for a cleaner look.
• She shaved her legs before going to the beach.

Use 'clip' when referring to cutting small amounts or making quick, precise cuts. It's often used for haircuts, nails, or small plants.

• He needs to clip his nails before the meeting.
• The gardener clipped the small branches off the rose bush.

Trim is used for cutting small amounts to tidy up or make something look neater. It can be used for hair, plants, or even budgets.

• She went to the salon for a haircut, but she only wanted a trim.
• He trimmed the hedge to make the garden look cleaner.