shift

¹shift

verb \ˈshift\

Definition of SHIFT

transitive verb

1

: to exchange for or replace by another : change

2

a : to change the place, position, or direction of : move b : to make a change in (place)

3

: to change phonetically

intransitive verb

1

a : to change place or position b : to change direction <the wind shifted> c : to change gears d : to depress the shift key (as on a typewriter)

2

a : to assume responsibility <had to shift for themselves> b : to resort to expedients

3

a : to go through a change <she shifted in her approach> b : to change one's clothes c : to become changed phonetically

— shift·able \ˈshif-tə-bəl\ adjective

— shift gears

: to make a change

Examples of SHIFT

1. I shifted the bag to my other shoulder.
2. She shifted her position slightly so she could see the stage better.
3. They shifted him to a different department.
4. He nervously shifted from foot to foot.
5. She shifted in her seat.
6. Public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent months.
7. Their efforts to shift public opinion have failed.
8. I wanted to shift the discussion back to the main point.
9. They tried to shift the blame onto us.
10. Their attempts at shifting attention away from the controversy seemed to be working.

Origin of SHIFT

Middle English, from Old English sciftan to divide, arrange; akin to Old Norse skipa to arrange, assign

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SHIFT

Synonyms: budge, dislocate, displace, disturb, relocate, remove, reposition, move, transfer, transpose

Antonyms: freeze, still

Related Words: bear, carry, cart, convey, drive, haul, lug, tote, transmit, transplant, transport; replace, supersede, supplant; alter, make over, modify, redo, refashion, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary

Near Antonyms: anchor, fix, freeze, moor, secure, set, stabilize; embed (also imbed), entrench (also intrench), implant, ingrain (also engrain), lodge, root

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with SHIFT

drift, gift, grift, lift, rift, shrift, sift, squiffed, swift, thrift