What’s the plural of “scissors”?
Often called ‘a pair of scissors,’ scissors is exclusively plural, since it’s made up of parts. Scissors has no singular form. Some nouns in English that consist of pairs, parts or pieces are only referred to in the plural case. Words and things like glasses, spectacles, pants, jeans, trousers and tongs are all only used in the plural, and therefore have no singular noun form.
The scissors are on the counter.
I need to find the scissors; they aren’t where I left them.
The scissors is missing.
Can you pass me a scissor? (‘Scissors’ has no singular form; it’s always plural.)
Scissors: singular or plural?
Scissors is a plural noun with no singular noun form. This is because scissors are a tool made up of parts.
What are scissors?
The word and commonly used household object scissors are defined in the dictionary as, “a cutting instrument having two blades whose cutting edges slide past each other.”
Plural-only nouns
The following are nouns made up of pairs, parts or pieces and are only referred to as a plural:
“scissors” is always plural, visualize a pair of scissors—two blades—and associate it with plural verbs and pronouns like “they are” or “these are.”.
Examples of scissors used in context
1. This can be done by coin flip or rock-paper-scissors.
2. She picked up a pair of scissors from the windowsill.
3. He told me to get some scissors.
4. Grab your ribbon, a pair of scissors, and let’s get started. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 11 Sep. 2022
5. Hand me those scissors.
Origin of the word scissors
From etymonline on scissors:
“Pair of shears of medium or small size,” late 14c., sisoures, also cisours, sesours, cisurs, etc., from Old French cisoires (plural) “shears,” from Vulgar Latin *cisoria (plural) “cutting instrument,” ultimately from Latin caedere “to cut”.
Keep reading!
What’s the difference between they’re, their, and there?
Sources
Work Sheet
According to the blog post, is the word “scissors” singular or plural?
Does the word “scissors” have a singular form?
Which of the following verbs should be used with the noun “scissors”?
Which pronoun should be used to refer to “scissors”?
Which of these words is also listed in the post as a plural-only noun, similar to “scissors”?
Please hand me the from the table.
The scissors sharp.
I need to find my scissors; aren’t where I left them.
She picked up a pair of to cut the paper.
My reading are broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “scissors” singular or plural?
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Why is the word scissors always plural?
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Does “scissors” have a singular form?
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How do I use “scissors” correctly?
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What other words are like scissors?
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Yash, D. "Are Scissors Singular or Plural?." Grammarflex, Jun 6, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/whats-the-plural-of-scissors/.
