# scissors

/ˈsɪzɝz/ (US) · /sˈɪsəz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scissors
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. exercise or movement

noun · CEFR B2

an exercise where you move your legs past each other like the blades of scissors.

For teachers: a physical exercise or movement, typically performed lying down, involving the rhythmic crossing of the legs to engage the abdominal muscles.

- The trainer told us to do twenty scissors to strengthen our core muscles.
- To conclude the abdominal circuit, the athlete performed a series of controlled scissors, ensuring her lower back remained pressed firmly against the mat.

### 3. aviation maneuver

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a defensive move in air combat where a pilot turns back and forth to make an attacker fly past them.

For teachers: a series of short, sharp turns used in dogfighting to reduce forward speed and force an attacking aircraft to overshoot the defender's position.

- The pilot used the scissors to get behind the enemy plane.
- The flight lead successfully executed a rolling scissors, bleeding off enough airspeed to force the interceptor into a vulnerable position ahead of his nose.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'the scissors' or 'rolling scissors'.

### 4. rock-paper-scissors

noun · CEFR B1

a hand shape in a game that represents the cutting tool.

For teachers: a hand gesture in the game of rock-paper-scissors, formed by extending the index and middle fingers in a V-shape.

- I chose scissors, but my brother won the game by choosing rock.
- In a surprising final round, both competitors threw scissors simultaneously, resulting in a draw that necessitated a tie-breaking match.

## Examples

- I need a pair of scissors to cut this paper.
- The tailor used a heavy pair of metal scissors to cut the thick wool fabric for the coat.
- While modern industrial lasers can cut through steel with extreme precision, the humble household scissors remain the most efficient tool for simple domestic tasks like opening packages or trimming loose threads.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.