Tweezers Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tweezers

[ˈtwiːzərz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

for plucking hairs

Tweezers are small metal tools with two short handles and two pincers at the end, used for picking up small objects or for pulling out hairs.

Synonyms

forceps, pincers, pluckers.

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Word Description / Examples
tweezers

Small tool used primarily for personal grooming, crafting, or medical purposes to pick up small objects like hairs, splinters, or tiny components.

  • She used tweezers to shape her eyebrows.
  • He needed tweezers to remove the splinter from his finger.
pincers

Hand tool with two levers pivoted in the middle, used mostly for gripping and holding objects, often in mechanical, construction, or crafting contexts.

  • The carpenter used pincers to remove the nails from the wood.
  • Pincers are great for holding small metal parts securely.
forceps

Specialized medical instrument with a similar function to tweezers but used mainly in surgical or dental procedures to grasp and hold objects.

  • The surgeon used forceps to hold the tissue during the operation.
  • Forceps are essential in dental clinics for tooth extraction.
pluckers

Tool or device mainly designed for removing feathers from poultry or sometimes used as a colloquial term for tweezers in grooming contexts.

  • He used pluckers to take the feathers off the chicken.
  • She jokingly called her tweezers pluckers while doing her eyebrows.

Examples of usage

  • Can you pass me the tweezers? I need to remove this splinter.
  • She used tweezers to pluck her eyebrows.
  • The tweezers are perfect for picking up tiny objects.
  • I always carry tweezers in my purse, just in case.
  • He carefully removed the thorn with a pair of tweezers.

Translations

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Origin of 'tweezers'

The word 'tweezers' originated from the French word 'etwee' which means 'case for holding small objects'. Tweezers have been used for centuries for various tasks such as grooming, medical procedures, and handling delicate objects. The design of tweezers has evolved over time to cater to different needs and purposes.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,718, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.