Shut
/ʃʌt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo close or block something, or to become closed or blocked.
/ʃʌt/
To close or block an opening.
He shut the window to keep the rain out.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're keeping a secret. When you SHUT your mouth, it's like closing a door on the words! You're not letting anything out.
👶 For kids: To close something, like a door or your eyes!
More Examples
The store shuts at 9 PM.
The cold wind made her shut her eyes tightly.
How It's Used
"Shut the door behind you."
"The computer automatically shuts down after a period of inactivity."
To stop the operation of something, often permanently or for a significant period.
/ʃʌt/
To stop the operation of something.
The factory had to shut down because of a power outage.
💡 Simply: Imagine a factory. When they SHUT DOWN, they turn off all the machines and stop making things, like a long break.
👶 For kids: To stop something from working, like turning off a toy!
More Examples
They decided to shut down the website for maintenance.
Please shut down the engine after you arrive.
How It's Used
"The company was forced to shut down its operations."
"Shut down your computer before leaving."
To prevent someone or something from participating or being involved.
/ʃʌt/
To confine someone or something.
He felt shut out of the group.
💡 Simply: If your friends are playing a game and they SHUT you out, it's like they closed the door so you can't play! You're not included.
👶 For kids: To not let someone do something, or to not let them be part of a game.
More Examples
The company shut down any new initiatives.
They shut the dog in the laundry room to keep it from running away.
How It's Used
"They shut him out of the discussion."
"The project shut down all ideas that weren't feasible."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
shut up
To stop talking.
"The teacher told the students to shut up and listen."
shut down
To stop the operation of a business, system, or machine.
"The company had to shut down because of the recession."
shut off
To stop the flow of something.
"She shut off the water before the pipes burst."
From Old English *scyttan 'to bar, close' related to Old Norse skũta 'to shoot, project'. The meaning evolved over time, reflecting the act of closing or obstructing something.
Historically, 'shut' has been used extensively to describe closing physical objects. It also appeared in legal and religious contexts to block something from happening, reflecting its original meaning of barring or hindering.
Memory tip
Think of physically SHUTting a door to keep something out or in.
Word Origin
"to bar, close"