Shears: meaning, definitions and examples

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shears

[ʃɪəz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

gardening

Shears are a cutting tool used for trimming grass, hedges, and shrubs. They consist of two blades that are typically operated by hand.

Synonyms

clippers, scissors, trimmers.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shears	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	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	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	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.

Examples of usage

The gardener used shears to trim the bushes in the garden.
She carefully sharpened the shears before starting the pruning.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

textiles

Shears are large scissors used for cutting fabric or metal. They are often used in tailoring and metalworking.

Synonyms

cutters, scissors, snips.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shears	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.
scissors	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.
cutters	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.
snips	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.

Examples of usage

The tailor used shears to cut the fabric for the new dress.
The metalworker used shears to cut the sheet metal.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

hairdressing

To shear means to cut the hair or fleece from an animal. It is commonly used in the context of sheep shearing.

Synonyms

clip, shave, trim.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shears	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	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.
clip	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	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.

Examples of usage

The farmer sheared the sheep before the winter.
The hairdresser sheared off the long locks of hair.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from Old English 'scear', which means to cut.
Related words include 'shear,' which also refers to cutting or trimming.

History

Shears have been used since ancient times, with evidence of their use in Egypt around 1500 BC.
In the Middle Ages, specialized shears were developed for use in the textile industry.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, shears are used in traditional crafting like quilting and tailoring.
During harvest festivals, shears symbolize the cutting of crops, representing prosperity and abundance.

Science

The design of shears incorporates the physics of leverage, allowing users to exert greater force on materials.
Different types of shears are designed for specific tasks, like gardening, fabric, or metal work, emphasizing the importance of tool specialization.

Arts and Crafts

Shears are essential tools in various crafts, including sewing, scrapbooking, and upholstery work.
Famous artists have used specialized shears to create intricate paper cuts and textile art.

Translations

Translations of the word "shears" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tesouras

🇮🇳 कैंची

🇩🇪 Schere

🇮🇩 gunting

🇺🇦 ножиці

🇵🇱 nożyce

🇯🇵 はさみ

🇫🇷 ciseaux

🇪🇸 tijeras

🇹🇷 makas

🇰🇷 가위

🇸🇦 مقص

🇨🇿 nůžky

🇸🇰 nožnice

🇨🇳 剪刀

🇸🇮 škarje

🇮🇸 skæri

🇰🇿 қайшы

🇬🇪 მაკრატელი

🇦🇿 qayçı

🇲🇽 tijeras

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,335, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
17332 logistical
17333 annul
17334 legatee
17335 shears
17336 flanking
17337 prepayment
17338 indented
...