noun
pliers
PLEYE-uhz
Pliers (noun) means a hand tool with pincer jaws used for gripping, bending, or cutting. Example: “He used a pair of pliers to twist the wire into a loop.”
noun
1
A hand tool with pincer jaws used for gripping, bending, or cutting.
"I need a pair of pliers to get a good grip on that broken screw."
"He used a pair of pliers to twist the wire into a loop."
How to use pliers
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gripping hand tool, always referred to in the plural, like "scissors."
Common mistake
Treated as plural: "these pliers are," not "this plier is." You can say "a pair of pliers."
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He used a pair of _____ to twist the wire into a loop.
Etymology
From ply ("to bend") plus the agent suffix -er, with the plural -s reflecting the tool's two joined handles.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pliers
See all rhymes for pliers →Frequently asked questions
What does “pliers” mean?
The word “pliers” means a hand tool with pincer jaws used for gripping, bending, or cutting. In plain terms, a gripping hand tool, always referred to in the plural, like "scissors.".
How do you pronounce “pliers”?
“Pliers” is pronounced PLEYE-uhz (/ˈplaɪ.ə(ɹ)z/ in IPA).
How do you use “pliers” in a sentence?
Here is “pliers” used in a sentence: “He used a pair of pliers to twist the wire into a loop.”
What part of speech is “pliers”?
“Pliers” is a noun.
