Shun
/ʃʌn/
Definitions
To persistently avoid, ignore, or reject.
/ʃʌn/
To persistently avoid, ignore, or reject someone or something.
He was shunned by his colleagues after the scandal.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone is being a bit of a bully, or maybe they're always talking about boring stuff. If you start to *shun* them, it means you try your best not to hang around them or talk to them, maybe even ignoring them when they try to talk to you.
👶 For kids: To stay away from someone or something on purpose.
More Examples
The village shuns outsiders.
She shuns the spotlight and prefers to live a private life.
How It's Used
"The community shuns those who break the law."
"The protagonist shuns all company, preferring solitude."
Synonyms
From Middle English *shunnen*, from Old English *scunian* ('to avoid, shrink from'), from Proto-Germanic *skunōjaną*. Related to Dutch *schuinen* and German *scheuen*.
Used since the early 14th century, often in religious or moral contexts to describe avoiding sin or sinners.
Memory tip
Think of 'sun': if someone is in the sun, you SHUN the shade and stay away from it.