What Does the ✂️ Scissor Emoji Mean?

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: August 5, 2024 Fact Checked

Curious about the ✂️ (scissor) emoji? Like most emojis, the scissors mean different things depending on who’s using them and in what context. Never fear—we’ve put together a comprehensive list of all the meanings of the ✂️ (scissor) emoji and ways you can use it to spice up your messages. If you’re ready to cut to the chase and learn more, read on!

Section 1 of 4:

✂️ (Scissor) Emoji Meanings

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The ✂️ emoji represents a pair of scissors or activities that require them. It might pop up when someone’s talking about crafting, gardening (shears are like big scissors), sewing, or cutting hair. In these cases, the meaning is literal.^{[1]
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- “Let’s get scrapbooking! ✂️📔”
- “I’m making my own dress for the dance ✂️💃🏽”
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✂️ also means someone is talking about a haircut. If you see the scissor emoji with a question mark, someone is deciding whether or not to get their hair chopped or asking for input on styles. If you see it in a photo caption, someone might be showing off their new ‘do.^{[2]
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- “✂️?”
- “I love sunny days and fresh cuts! ☀️✂️”
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The ✂️ emoji can also mean you’re cutting something out of your life. Imagine someone talking about quitting cigarettes, leaving a significant other, or making a New Year’s resolution. The scissor emoji is bad news for anything you don't want around!^{[3]
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- “I’m not drinking any alcohol this January! ✂️🍷”
- “No more takeout for the rest of the year ✂️🥡”
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Someone might use the ✂️ emoji to express their sexual orientation. Scissors might indicate the user is lesbian or bisexual, or is showing affection to another LGBTQ+ woman-identifying person. It can also be an innuendo for a lesbian sexual act.^{[4]
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- “I’m here, queer, and proud! 🌈✂️”
- “Sorry, I’m ✂️”
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Some young people use ✂️ to reference the Nickelodeon show Victorious. In the show, the character Jade is obsessed with scissors and is suspected by some fans to be bisexual. The ✂️ emoji can reference her character specifically, or be used to indicate any person who helped someone discover their sexual identity.^{[5]
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- “Jade is the best ✂️”
- “This woman was my awakening! ✂️👩💖”

Section 2 of 4:

How to Use the ✂️ (Scissor) Emoji

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Use the ✂️ emoji to talk about your scissor-related activities. Add a pair of scissors to any message or post about snipping and cutting.^{[6]
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Research source} Try adding other related emojis to paint a colorful picture of what you’re up to!
- “We’ve gotta trim these bushes before we set up for the BBQ! ✂️🌳🍖”
- “I’m studying to be a hairstylist ✂️📚”
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Throw in a ✂️ emoji to talk about your fresh haircut. Take a poll to see which style your followers think you should get, or use it to show off your new chop!
- “What do we think!? ✂️💅”
- “I’m torn…bangs, or no bangs ✂️??”
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Illustrate what you’re cutting out with the ✂️ emoji. Want to tell the world what you’re not going to be doing from now on? Use the scissor emoji to show you’re chopping the negativity out of your life!
- “I’m done with him! ✂️👨❌”
- “New year, new me ✂️🚬”
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Tell someone to “Cut it out!” with ✂️. Add a little oomph to your catchphrases by spelling them out with emojis. Anything with “cut” can be emoji-fied—”You’re cut off,” “Cut it out,” and “boot cut jeans” are just a few examples.
- “No more allowance for you! You’re ✂️💸”
- “I need to go buy some 🥾✂️👖”
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Post the ✂️ emoji to show your pride online. Add it to your username, put it in your Twitter bio, or send it in a message to let people know you’re a lesbian or bisexual. It can also represent what you’re looking for on a dating app or matching service.
- “I’m Gina 👋 I’m a teacher 🍎 athlete 🏆 and proud 🏳️‍🌈✂️”
- “Who’s in this picture? Your favorite ✂️s, that's who!”

Section 3 of 4:

✂️ (Scissor) Emoji Alternatives

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Wondering what else you can use besides ✂️? There’s a huge variety of emojis to choose from for just about any occasion! Try out some of these in addition to ✂️ to add some fun variety to your texts and social media posts:^{[7]
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- 🪡 🧵 🧶 🧷 = Sewing or tailoring
- 🏡 🪴 🌱 🌿 = Gardening or landscaping
- 💈 💇🏽 = Barber pole, haircut
- 🖍️ 🎀 🖼️ 📔 = Crafting
- 🏳️‍🌈 🌈 = Pride flag, LGBTQ+ community
- ⚤ = Bisexual
- ⚢ = Lesbian
- 👭🏽 = Women holding hands

Section 4 of 4:

Emojis Related to the ✂️ (Scissors) Emoji

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The ✂️ emoji is related to other crafting emojis. Check out these other emojis and what they mean to talk about crafting or getting a trim:
- The 🪡 (sewing needle) emoji represents sewing, embroidering, quilting, and other types of crafting that require a needle and thread.
- The 🧵 (thread) emoji symbolizes sewing, knitting, crafting, and clothes.
- The 📔 (notebook with decorative cover) emoji represents journaling, scrapbooking, or drawing.
- The 💇 (person getting a haircut) emoji refers to getting a haircut.
- The 🔪 (kitchen knife) emoji symbolizes cooking or cutting.