shuffle

verb shuf·fle \ ˈshə-fəl \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: shuffle in a Sentence

Definition of shuffle

shuffled; shuffling play \ˈshə-f(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to mix in a mass confusedly : jumble

2 : to put or thrust aside or under cover

shuffled the whole matter out of his mind

3 a : to rearrange (playing cards, dominoes, tiles, etc.) to produce a random order

b : to move about, back and forth, or from one place to another : shift

shuffle funds among various accounts

4 a : to move by sliding along or back and forth without lifting

shuffle one's feet

b : to perform (something, such as a dance) with a dragging, sliding step

intransitive verb

1 : to work into or out of trickily

shuffled out of the difficulty

2 : to act or speak in a shifty or evasive manner

3 a : to move or walk in a sliding dragging manner without lifting the feet

b : to dance in a lazy nonchalant manner with sliding and tapping motions of the feet

c : to execute in a perfunctory or clumsy manner

4 : to mix playing cards or counters by shuffling

—

shuffler

play \ˈshə-f(ə-)lər\ noun

See shuffle defined for English-language learners

See shuffle defined for kids

Examples of shuffle in a Sentence

He shuffled across the floor.
She stood there, shuffling her feet, waiting for the bus to arrive.
She shuffled the papers on her desk.
The manager shuffled the batting order.
Whose turn is it to shuffle and deal?

Recent Examples of shuffle from the Web

Matt Goodson was among the first who under an overcast sky shuffled in the school to cast their ballot on Election Day.

— ben brasch, ajc, "Cobb voters are out at the polls on an expected rainy Election Day," 22 May 2018
The social giant, which has been under fire over the past 18 months because of Russia or Cambridge Analytica or Myanmar or one of numerous other company oversights, shuffled its executive deck in a major way.

— kurt wagner, Recode, "Facebook is full of could-be CEOs — but no one ever leaves," 22 May 2018
Thousands of people shuffled in and out of the George R. Brown Convention Center for the 43rd annual Houston Fishing Show, which ended Sunday after a five-day run.

— shelby webb, Houston Chronicle, "At the Houston Fishing Expo, a chance to pass on traditions," 4 Mar. 2018
Despite the harsh sentences, most defendants remained stony- faced as they were shuffled out after their brief time in the stand.

— hamza hendawi, Washington Post, "A neighbor’s word can bring death sentence in Iraq IS trials," 9 July 2018
Despite the harsh sentences, most defendants remained stony- faced as they were shuffled out after their brief time in the stand.

— hamza hendawi, Fox News, "A neighbor's word can bring death sentence in Iraq IS trials," 9 July 2018
So as lawmakers shuffled onto the House floor on Friday morning, no one really knew what was going on.

— philip elliott, Time, "President Trump Spiked an Immigration Compromise He Supported," 15 June 2018
Stewart later learned that five police officers had shot and killed stabbing suspect Mario Woods as the 26-year-old African American man shuffled along a wall half a block away.

— evan sernoffsky, San Francisco Chronicle, "Mario Woods shooting: Bayview residents ‘insulted’ by DA clearing police," 25 May 2018
That’s why the Mustang remains front and center in Ford’s product plan as lesser cars are shuffled to the side.

— mark phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Ford should be building these types of vehicles," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shuffle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of shuffle

perhaps irregular from ¹shove

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1570

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

shuffle Synonyms

shuffle

noun

Definition of shuffle

1 : an evasion of the issue : equivocation

2 a : an act of shuffling (as of cards)

b : a right or turn to shuffle

it's your shuffle

c : a confusing jumble (as of papers or events)

lost in the shuffle

3 a : a dragging sliding movement; specifically : a sliding or scraping step in dancing

b : a dance characterized by such a step

c (1) : a rhythm where each beat of the measure is played as a triplet with the first and second parts of the triplet tied and the third part accented

(2) : music played in a shuffle rhythm

See shuffle defined for English-language learners

Examples of shuffle in a Sentence

We heard the shuffle of feet outside the door.
He gave the cards a good shuffle and then dealt.

Recent Examples of shuffle from the Web

There remains no obvious replacement for Pelosi or the second-ranking Democrat, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, so many aren’t convinced there will be an immediate leadership shuffle after the election.

— lisa mascaro, The Seattle Times, "Era of resistance defines new generation of House Democrats," 2 July 2018
The Texas Rangers held with three top 100 players, though there has been a shuffle.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Taveras highest-ranked Rangers prospect in BA Top 100," 30 June 2018
Parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV announced the shuffle in February.

— Fortune, "Alfa Romeo Is Planning 700-Horsepower 8C Supercar to Challenge Porsche, Ferrari," 2 June 2018
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is creating a new executive role for its educational foundation, creating a shuffle in its leadership.

— jacob beltran, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo announces leadership shuffle, new foundation role," 23 May 2018
Heiner's absence caused a shuffle in a couple government positions.

— mandy mclaren, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky's education commissioner is out. A JCPS audit is looming. What it means for schools," 18 Apr. 2018
The big nickel will get a re-shuffle, and will probably feature safety Colin Jones, 30, who filled in for Thompson at times last season.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Do the Panthers have a prayer of replacing LB Thomas Davis? Not with 1 guy ... | Charlotte Observer," 9 Apr. 2018
But, one show is trying to prove that love can be as simple as a slap, a flap, and a shuffle.

— madison medeiros, refinery29.com, "There's Now A La La Land-Inspired Reality Dating Show," 27 Mar. 2018
Former Groveland mayor Tim Loucks, who gave up his seat in 2016 in an unsuccessful bid for Lake County Commission, is back on the council in a shuffle triggered by the recent ouster of George Rosario as mayor.

— jerry fallstrom, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Groveland shuffle after Mayor George Rosario's ouster puts Tim Loucks back in office," 13 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of shuffle

1628

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

shuffle Synonyms

Synonyms

agglomerate, agglomeration, assortment, clutter, collage, grab bag, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jumble, litter, medley, mélange, miscellany, mishmash, mixed bag, motley, muddle, olio, olla podrida, omnium-gatherum, patchwork, potpourri, ragbag, rummage, salmagundi, scramble, smorgasbord, tumble, variety, welter;

admixture, alloy, amalgam, blend, combination, commixture, composite, compound, fusion, intermixture, mix-up;

mess, morass, shambles;

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

SHUFFLE Defined for English Language Learners

shuffle

verb

Definition of shuffle for English Language Learners

: to slide your feet along the ground or back and forth without lifting them completely
: to move things or people into a different order or into different positions
: to mix (playing cards) before playing a game so that no one knows what order they are in

shuffle

noun

Definition of shuffle for English Language Learners

: the act of moving by sliding your feet without lifting them off the ground
: the act of mixing the order of playing cards : the act of shuffling cards

SHUFFLE Defined for Kids

shuffle

verb shuf·fle \ ˈshə-fəl \

Definition of shuffle for Students

shuffled; shuffling

1 : to slide back and forth without lifting

He shuffled his feet.

2 : to walk or move by sliding or dragging the feet

I just shuffled along.

3 : to mix up the order of (as playing cards)

4 : to push or move about or from place to place

She shuffled the papers on her desk.

shuffle

noun

Definition of shuffle for Students

1 : a sliding or dragging walk

2 : an act of mixing up or moving so as to change the order or position

3 : a confusing jumble

The idea was lost in the shuffle.

Learn More about shuffle

See words that rhyme with shuffle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shuffle Spanish Central: Translation of shuffle Nglish: Translation of shuffle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shuffle for Arabic speakers

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shuffle

Definition of shuffle

shuffler

Examples of shuffle in a Sentence

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Synonyms

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shuffle

Definition of shuffle

Examples of shuffle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of shuffle from the Web

First Known Use of shuffle

shuffle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Game Terms

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Related Phrases

SHUFFLE Defined for English Language Learners

shuffle

Definition of shuffle for English Language Learners

shuffle

Definition of shuffle for English Language Learners

SHUFFLE Defined for Kids

shuffle

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shuffle

Definition of shuffle for Students

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