Shore
/ʃɔːr/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe edge of a body of water.
/ʃɔːr/
The land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other large body of water.
We walked along the shore collecting seashells.
💡 Simply: The shore is the land next to the water, like the beach. You might build sandcastles or look for seashells on the shore.
👶 For kids: The shore is the land next to the water, where you can play in the sand!
More Examples
The waves crashed onto the shore.
The coastal town's economy relies on its beautiful shore.
How It's Used
"The children enjoyed playing on the sandy shore."
"The ship sailed close to the shore, searching for a safe harbor."
To support or prop up (a structure or other object) from below, typically with timbers.
/ʃɔːr/
To support or hold something up, typically temporarily.
Workers shored up the damaged building with steel beams.
💡 Simply: Shored up means to give something extra support so it doesn't fall down. Like when you use sticks to hold up a tent.
👶 For kids: To shore means to put something under something else to keep it from falling.
More Examples
The government shored up the banks after the financial crisis.
The engineer shored the wall using temporary supports.
How It's Used
"The builders shored up the collapsing building with wooden beams."
"The government shored up the economy by injecting funds."
Idioms & expressions
ashore
On or to the shore.
"The sailors came ashore after the long voyage."
offshore
Away from the shore, especially in the sea; at a distance from the coast.
"Offshore wind farms."
From Middle English shorre, from Old English scora, meaning 'land bordering a body of water'. Related to shear, suggesting the cutting away of land by water.
The word shore has been used since Old English times to describe the land bordering a body of water.
Memory tip
Think of the place you go to relax by the water: the shore.
Word Origin
"land bordering a body of water"