shears

Everyday

1. Shears are a large cutting tool like big, strong scissors, used for cutting hedges, grass, metal or sheep's wool. tree →
2. «Shears» is also the verb: «the farmer shears the sheep» means he cuts off their wool. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life gardeners use shears to trim hedges; on farms in Australia and New Zealand, sheep are sheared for wool. In safety lessons, shears are sharp tools for adults only. Phrases: «garden shears», «a pair of shears», «hedge shears».

Examples

• Dad trimmed the hedge with shears. tree →
• Shears are like giant scissors. tree →
• The farmer shears the sheep every spring. tree →
• Hand me the shears, please — carefully! tree →
• A pair of shears is on the shed wall. tree →
• Sheep shearers in New Zealand can shear hundreds of sheep in a day. tree →

Note

Always plural like «scissors»: «the shears are sharp», «a pair of shears». Past of shear: «sheared»; past participle «shorn» is also used («shorn sheep»). Homophone: «sheers» (very thin curtains). Don't confuse with «sheer» (steep or complete).