2 syllables: Scis, sors. Stress on Scis.
SIZ-urz
/ˈsɪzɚz/
Scissors is pronounced SIZ-urz (/ˈsɪzɚz/). It has two syllables (Scis-sors), with the stress on "Scis". Scissors is a hand-operated cutting tool consisting of two sharpened blades fixed in a joint, used for trimming and cutting various materials. In everyday use, it refers to the pair of shears themselves, often treated as a plural noun in modern English. The word denotes both the tool and the act of cutting with it, and it appears in common phrases like “scissors skills” or “safety scissors.”.
nounScissors is a hand-operated cutting tool consisting of two sharpened blades fixed in a joint, used for trimming and cutting various materials. In everyday use, it refers to the pair of shears themselves, often treated as a plural noun in modern English. The word denotes both the tool and the act of cutting with it, and it appears in common phrases like “scissors skills” or “safety scissors.”
How to Pronounce Scissors
"I need a new pair of scissors to cut this fabric."
"The child used safety scissors to cut paper in art class."
"Please put the scissors back in the drawer after you’re done."
Scissors is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈsɪzərz/ in US English or /ˈsɪzəz/ in UK/Australian varieties. The most noticeable feature is the stressed first syllable /ˈsɪ/, followed by a reduced middle vowel /zər/ or /zə/, and a final /z/. The initial consonant cluster is simple /s/ with a voiced center, and the ending is a voiced z sound. A helpful cue: think ‘SIS-ers,’ with a light schwa in the second syllable. Please listen to a native pronunciation in a reputable dictionary or pronunciation platform to feel the subtle vowel reduction in the second syllable.
Common errors include pronouncing it as two separate syllables with a strong /ər/ in the second syllable, like /ˈsɪzər/ without the final z; or saying /ˈskizərz/ with an initial sk- cluster. Another frequent issue is non-stress on the first syllable or flattening the second vowel. To correct: keep primary stress on the first syllable /ˈsɪ/ and reduce the second vowel to a schwa /ə/ or /ə/ depending on accent, finishing with /z/; ensure the final z is voiced and clear. Use quick, light mouth movements to avoid elongation.
In US English, /ˈsɪzərz/ with a clear /ər/ rhoticity; the final /z/ remains. UK and AU varieties often reduce the /ər/ to /əz/ or /ə/ with less rhoticity, yielding /ˈsɪzəz/. The main difference lies in the rhotic r coloring and vowel quality: US tends to retain a rhotic /ɹ/ in the second syllable, while UK/AU often have a non-rhotic or weakly rhotic vowel, creating a more schwa-like /ə/. IPA references align: US /ˈsɪzərz/, UK/AU /ˈsɪzəz/. Practice with a regional speaker to feel the shift in vowel length and rhotic coloring.
The difficulty comes from the unusual plural noun that sounds like a single word containing a vowel reduction in the second syllable and final voiced /z/. The combination of /z/ and /ər/ or /əz/ can challenge non-native learners, plus the final sibilant requires precise voicing and tongue positioning. Place your tongue high and slightly back for /z/, then relax into a short schwa or /ə/ before the final /z/. Practicing minimal pairs like ‘sizer’ vs ‘scissors’ can help you feel the rhythm and the subtle vowel timing.
No, there are no silent letters in the standard pronunciation of ‘scissors.’ All letters participate in the spoken form: the initial /s/ plus /ɪ/ in the first syllable, /z/ medium, and the final /ər/ or /əz/ followed by /z/. Some learners mishear the middle vowel as unstressed or elided, but in standard pronunciation the vowels are audible as part of the syllables, with the second syllable reduced to a schwa or small vowel sound.
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The word scissors comes from the Old English scisor or scyssor, derived from Latin scissorium, from scindo “to cut.” The English form likely passed through Old French during the Middle Ages, with scissor attested in the 14th century. The term originated as a plural noun referring to a pair of blades joined together, reflecting the two-blade design. Over time, despite occasional singular usage in casual speech (e.g., “a pair of scissor”), the standard form remains plural, because the tool consists of two symmetrical blades. The semantic extension to include “scissors” as a cutting implement used for fabrics, paper, and hair replicated across technical and domestic domains. First known use in English dates to the late 14th to early 15th centuries in manuscripts describing cutting tools; the word’s momentum grew with the increasing variety of scissor designs in crafts and industry. By the modern period, “scissors” stands as the conventional plural noun for the instrument, while phrases like “safety scissors” or “child-safe scissors” show specialized usage. The word’s pronunciation has remained relatively stable, with initial /ˈsɪzərz/ in American English and /ˈsɪzəz/ in British English.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Scissors" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Scissors" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Scissors"
-rs? sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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