shut

¹shut

verb \ˈshət\

shutshut·ting

Definition of SHUT

transitive verb

1

a : to move into position to close an opening <shut the lid>

b : to prevent entrance to or passage to or from

2

: to confine by or as if by enclosure <shut herself in her study>

3

: to fasten with a lock or bolt

4

: to close by bringing enclosing or covering parts together <shut the eyes>

5

: to cause to cease or suspend an operation or activity —often used with down

intransitive verb

1

: to close itself or become closed <flowers that shut at night>

2

: to cease or suspend an operation or activity —often used with down

Examples of SHUT

1. He shut his eyes and went to sleep.
2. She shut the book loudly.
3. I accidentally shut the door on her fingers.
4. flowers that shut at night
5. The door shut slowly behind me.
6. The owner is shutting the pub for the weekend.
7. They plan to shut the factory by the end of the year.

Origin of SHUT

Middle English shetten, shutten, from Old English scyttan; akin to Middle Dutch schutten to shut in, Old English scēotan to shoot — more at shoot

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SHUT

Synonyms

make [chiefly dialect], close, steek [chiefly Scottish]

Antonyms

open

Related Words

bar, batten (down), bolt, chain, fasten, latch, lock; plug, seal, stopper; secure; bang, clap, slam

Near Antonyms

unbar, unbolt, unchain, unfasten, unlatch, unlock, unseal

Rhymes with SHUT

but, butt, cut, glut, gut, hut, jut, mutt, nut, putt, rut, scut, slut, smut, soot, strut, tut, ut, what

²shut

adjective

Definition of SHUT

1

: closed, fastened, or folded together

2

: rid, clear, free —usually used with of

Examples of SHUT

1. She listened to the music with her eyes shut.
2. Check to make sure that all the windows are shut.

First Known Use of SHUT

15th century

³shut

noun

Definition of SHUT

: the act of shutting

First Known Use of SHUT

1667