shift
shift Lexical Profile
shift Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A slight or gradual change in position, direction, emphasis, or tendency.
"Researchers observed a significant shift in public attitudes toward renewable energy over the past decade."
A scheduled period of time during which a person or group of workers is on duty, or the group of workers itself.
"The hospital nurses rotate between the morning and overnight shifts every two weeks."
A key on a computer or typewriter keyboard used to type capital letters and alternate upper characters, or a mechanism for changing gears in a vehicle.
"Hold down the shift key while pressing the number to type the punctuation symbol."
A straight, loose-fitting dress or undergarment that hangs directly from the shoulders without a defined waist.
"She wore a simple linen shift to stay cool during the warm summer afternoon."
• verb
To move or cause to move from one place, position, or direction to another, especially over a small distance.
"He shifted the heavy boxes to the corner of the garage to make room for the bicycles."
To change in emphasis, judgment, attitude, or focus from one thing or person to another.
"The committee decided to shift its focus toward improving early childhood education."
To change gears in a motor vehicle or on a bicycle.
"She shifted into second gear as the car began climbing the steep mountain road."
British To sell off goods or merchandise, or to remove an unwanted stain or obstacle.
"The store lowered prices by half in an effort to shift the remaining winter inventory."
• Rhymes for shift
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English sciftan, meaning 'to arrange, divide, or apportion,' derived from the Proto-Germanic root *skiftan. The sense evolved in Middle English to mean 'to change or move from one place or position to another.'