Scissors are a cutting tool with two sharp blades that pivot in the middle, working together like jaws to slice through paper, fabric, string, and other materials. When you squeeze the handles, the blades slide past each other, creating a clean cut.

The word scissors is always plural, even when you're talking about just one pair. You say “these scissors are sharp” rather than “these scissors is sharp.” This is because scissors have two blades working as a pair. If you need to count them, you say “one pair of scissors” or “three pairs of scissors.”

Scissors were invented thousands of years ago, and their basic design hasn't changed much because it works so well. Different types exist for different jobs: tiny embroidery scissors for delicate work, kitchen shears for cutting food, and heavy-duty scissors that can slice through cardboard or thin metal.

The motion of opening and closing your fingers like scissor blades is called a scissor motion. In swimming, the scissors kick involves moving your legs back and forth like scissor blades cutting through water. Wrestling has a move called a scissor hold, where a wrestler wraps their legs around an opponent and squeezes, mimicking how scissors grip and cut.