How to pronounce scissors
Say it like SIZ-erz. Scissors has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIZ).
- SIZ
- erz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The c is silent and both s's in the middle buzz like z: 'SIZ-erz'.
Scissors pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SIZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of scissors
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SIZ-uz.
What does scissors mean?
- A tool used for cutting thin material, consisting of two crossing blades attached at a pivot point in such a way that the blades slide across each other when the handles are closed.“Those scissors are sharp.”
- A type of defensive maneuver in dogfighting, involving repeatedly turning one's aircraft towards that of the attacker in order to force them to overshoot.
- An instance of the above dogfighting maneuver.
- plural of scissor How to pronounce scissor
- Rare form of scissor (“to cut using, or as if using, scissors”). How to pronounce scissor
Where does scissors come from?
The current spelling, from the 16th century, is due to association with Medieval Latin scissor (“tailor”), from Latin carrying the meaning “carver, cutter”, from scindō (“to split”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying scissors
How do you pronounce scissors?
Say SIZ-erz. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪzɚz/. In British English it is /ˈsɪzəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in scissors?
Scissors has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIZ). Broken into parts: SIZ · erz.
Is scissors pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsɪzəz/ (SIZ-uz).