tweezers

/ˈtwiːzərz/
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A precision gripping tool for holding, plucking, lifting, or positioning very small things.

Examples

  • The technician positioned the component with antistatic tweezers.
  • The jeweler picked up the tiny stone with tweezers.
  • A pair of eyebrow tweezers lay beside the mirror.
  • Stamp collectors often handle rare stamps with tweezers.
  • She pulled the splinter out with tweezers.

Similar words

forceps
grippers
pincers
tongs
nippers

Meanings

Small gripping tool

noun
tools
neutral
A small tool with two narrow arms joined at one end, used for gripping, plucking, lifting, or positioning tiny objects with precision.

Examples

  • She pulled the splinter out with tweezers.
  • The jeweler picked up the tiny stone with tweezers.
  • A pair of eyebrow tweezers lay beside the mirror.
  • The technician positioned the component with antistatic tweezers.
  • The surgeon used fine tweezers to hold the tissue steady.
  • Stamp collectors often handle rare stamps with tweezers.

Similar words

Etymology

From obsolete English tweeze, a case for small instruments, shortened from etweese and traced to French etui, meaning a small case. The name moved from the case to the tool inside it.

FAQ

What are tweezers?

Tweezers are a small gripping tool with two narrow arms joined at one end, used to hold, pluck, or position tiny objects.

Is tweezers singular or plural?

Tweezers is plural in form but can take singular or plural agreement, especially when it means one tool or a pair of tweezers.

What are tweezers used for?

Tweezers are used for tasks such as plucking hairs, removing splinters, handling small parts, placing beads, and gripping delicate tissue.

What is the difference between tweezers and forceps?

Tweezers is the common everyday word, while forceps is often used for medical or technical instruments that grip small objects or tissue.

Is tweeze the same word as tweezers?

Tweeze is the related verb meaning to pluck or remove something with tweezers, while tweezers names the tool.

Where does tweezers come from?

Tweezers comes through obsolete English words for a small case, ultimately from French etui, before the name shifted to the tool.

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