Shuffle
'ʃʌfəl
Definitions
4 meaningsTo mix (playing cards) together in a deck.
'ʃʌfəl
To mix cards randomly.
He shuffled the deck of cards before dealing.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a deck of cards. To shuffle is to mix them all up so you don't know what order they're in, kind of like when you mix up your toys before playing.
👶 For kids: To mix things up like cards in a game!
More Examples
The dealer shuffled the cards quickly.
I always shuffle the papers on my desk to make them look less organized.
How It's Used
"Before dealing, the dealer has to shuffle the deck of cards."
"The politician shuffled the facts to make them more appealing."
To walk by dragging one's feet along the ground.
'ʃʌfəl
To walk without lifting the feet.
The old man shuffled along the sidewalk.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are really tired and just dragging your feet along the ground as you walk. That’s shuffling! Like a zombie, but slower.
👶 For kids: To walk by sliding your feet on the ground.
More Examples
He shuffled his feet as he waited.
She shuffled out of the room, clearly embarrassed.
How It's Used
"He shuffled down the hallway in his slippers."
"The old man shuffled through his memories."
To change the positions of things or people; rearrange.
'ʃʌfəl
To rearrange things.
The company decided to shuffle the management team.
💡 Simply: When you're re-organizing stuff, or people's duties at work. Like when you shuffle papers on your desk, or move your toys around.
👶 For kids: To move things around or change their order.
More Examples
They shuffled the desks in the office to create more space.
He had to shuffle the schedule around to accommodate the changes.
How It's Used
"The company shuffled the departments, creating new reporting structures."
"The manager shuffled the staff to improve efficiency."
The act of shuffling something, such as cards or moving with dragging feet.
'ʃʌfəl
The act of shuffling cards or walking with dragging feet.
He did a quick shuffle to mix the cards.
💡 Simply: The act of mixing cards, or the way someone walks when they drag their feet.
👶 For kids: When you mix up cards, or when you drag your feet when you walk.
More Examples
Her shuffle was slow and deliberate.
The game started after the proper shuffle.
How It's Used
"The dealer needs a good shuffle before the game."
"The old man's shuffle down the street was slow."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
shuffle off this mortal coil
To die.
"Hamlet is contemplating whether to 'shuffle off this mortal coil' or to endure the hardships of life."
From Middle English shufflen, perhaps of Germanic origin, related to Dutch schoffelen (to scrape, to shovel) and German schaufeln (to shovel). The word's original meaning implied a dragging or pushing motion, later evolving to include the mixing of cards or feet.
The word 'shuffle' has been used in various contexts since the late 16th century. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the phrase 'shuffle off this mortal coil' uses the verb metaphorically for death.
Memory tip
Think of shuffling cards; the action mixes them up.