Shift
/ʃɪft/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo move or change the position or direction of something.
/ʃɪft/
To move or cause to move from one position to another.
The wind shifted the position of the sailboat.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're moving your backpack from one shoulder to the other because it's getting heavy. Shifting is like that, but it can be anything that changes its place.
👶 For kids: To move something to a new place.
More Examples
I had to shift my weight to balance.
The company is shifting its focus to online sales.
How It's Used
"She shifted the bag to her other shoulder."
"The software shifted to the new server."
To change or alter in character, direction, or tendency.
/ʃɪft/
To change one's opinion, method, or attitude.
Her mood shifted from happy to sad.
💡 Simply: Imagine you used to love pizza, but now you're all about tacos. That's a shift in your preference! It's about changing your mind or the way you do things.
👶 For kids: To change your mind about something.
More Examples
The government has shifted its policy on environmental issues.
We need to shift our thinking to find a better solution.
How It's Used
"Public opinion shifted after the scandal."
"The company shifted its strategy to adapt to the market changes."
An instance of changing or moving from one place, position, or direction to another.
/ʃɪft/
A change in position, direction, or tendency.
The stock market experienced a dramatic shift.
💡 Simply: It's like when the wind changes direction, that's a shift. Or maybe a shift in the mood of a room - it changed somehow.
👶 For kids: A change.
More Examples
We noticed a shift in her attitude.
The company is planning a major shift in its business strategy.
How It's Used
"There was a sudden shift in the weather."
"The economic shift caused several companies to go bankrupt."
A period of time during which a group of workers do their jobs.
/ʃɪft/
A period of work done by a person or group of people.
The night shift is responsible for monitoring security.
💡 Simply: Imagine a group of firefighters take turns working at the fire station. Each group's work period is a shift.
👶 For kids: A time you work at your job.
More Examples
I have the afternoon shift today.
The factory employs three shifts of workers.
How It's Used
"He works the night shift at the hospital."
"The factory operates in three shifts."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
shift gears
To change one's approach or direction; to switch to a different activity or focus.
"After finishing the first task, she shifted gears and started on the second one."
shift the blame
To avoid responsibility for something by making someone else appear responsible
"Instead of taking responsibility, they tried to shift the blame onto their colleagues."
From Middle English shiften, from Old English sciftan ('to divide, arrange'), related to skift (Danish and Norwegian), and from Proto-Germanic *skiftaną.
The word 'shift' has been used since the 14th century, primarily to describe a change or alteration.
Memory tip
Imagine lifting and moving a heavy object.
Word Origin
"to divide, arrange, or change"