Share

/ʃɛər/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings3 idioms/phrases5 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To have or use something at the same time as another person or people; to give a part of something to someone else.

/ʃɛər/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To give a portion of something to someone else.

Can you share your toys with your brother?

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a cookie. Sharing means you give some to a friend, so both of you get to enjoy it! It's like splitting something up or letting someone else have some.

👶 For kids: To let someone else have some of what you have.

More Examples

2

We shared the cost of the taxi.

3

The article encourages readers to share their experiences.

How It's Used

Business

"The company shares its profits with its employees."

Social

"We shared a pizza together."

2

A portion of something that is divided or given to a person or group.

/ʃɛər/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A part or portion of something that is divided among a group.

He received his share of the inheritance.

💡 Simply: Imagine a pizza cut into slices. Each slice is a share. It's the piece of something that belongs to someone.

👶 For kids: A part of something that you get.

More Examples

2

The company's shares are traded on the stock market.

3

Everyone got a fair share of the candy.

How It's Used

Finance

"The company's shares increased in value."

Social

"Each student will get their share of the prize."

Tip:Picture a pie chart, each segment represents a share of the whole.
3

A unit of ownership in a company or financial institution.

/ʃɛər/

nounneutralmedium
Business

A unit of ownership in a company.

I bought some shares in the tech company.

💡 Simply: When you buy a share in a company, it's like buying a tiny piece of it. If the company does well, the value of that piece can go up!

👶 For kids: A piece of a company that you can buy.

More Examples

2

The stock market fluctuates based on the value of shares.

3

Shareholders receive dividends based on the company's performance.

How It's Used

Finance

"The value of their shares increased."

Tip:Think of a 'share' of the company's success.

Idioms & expressions

share and share alike

Everyone gets the same amount or the same treatment.

"The siblings always share their toys share and share alike."

to share something with someone

To give part of something to someone or to experience something with another person.

"She shared her lunch with her friend."

market share

The portion of a market controlled by a particular company or product.

"The company's goal is to increase its market share."

From Old English *scearu*, *gescearu* ('a division, portion'), from Proto-Germanic *skaro* ('a cutting, section'). Cognate with Old Norse *skǫr* ('a share, portion').

The word 'share' has evolved from its Old English roots denoting a division or portion, and expanded to include the concept of collaborative ownership and experience over time.

Memory tip

Think of dividing a pie – you share it to ensure everyone gets a piece!

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"a cutting, section, a portion"

share a mealshare informationshare an opinionshare a secretmarket shareshare profitsshare the costshare the workload

Common misspellings

shairshaersharee

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written