shift
noun
1. an event in which something is displaced without rotation
Similar word(s): displacement
Definition categories: event, translation
2. a qualitative change
Similar word(s): transformation, transmutation
Definition categories: event, alteration, change, modification
3. the time period during which you are at work
Definition categories: time, hours
4. the act of changing one thing or position for another
Similar word(s): switch, switching
Definition categories: act, change
5. the act of moving from one place to another
- his constant shifting disrupted the class
Similar word(s): shifting
Definition categories: act, motion, move, movement
6. (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
Similar word(s): break, fault, faulting, fracture
Definition categories: object, cleft, crack, crevice, fissure, scissure
7. a crew of workers who work for a specific period of time
Definition categories: group, crew, gang
8. the key on the typewriter keyboard that shifts from lower-case letters to upper-case letters
Definition categories: man–made, key
9. a woman's sleeveless undergarment
Similar word(s): chemise, shimmy, slip, teddy
Definition categories: man–made, undergarment, unmentionable
10. a loose-fitting dress hanging straight from the shoulders without a waist
Similar word(s): chemise, sack
Definition categories: man–made, dress, frock
Sentences with shift as a noun:
- Just last week she bought a new shift at the market.
- We'll work three shifts a day till the job's done.
- There was a shift in the political atmosphere.
- Does it come with a stick-shift?
- If you press shift-P, the preview display will change.
- Teams often use the shift against this lefty.
verb
1. make a shift in or exchange of
Similar word(s): switch
Definition categories: change, alter, modify
2. change place or direction
- Shift one's position
Similar word(s): dislodge, reposition
Definition categories: motion, displace, move
3. move around
Similar word(s): transfer
Definition categories: motion, displace, move
4. move very slightly
- He shifted in his seat
Similar word(s): agitate, budge, stir
Definition categories: motion, move
5. move from one setting or context to another
- shift the emphasis
- shift one's attention
Definition categories: change, alter, modify
6. change in quality
- His tone shifted
Definition categories: change
7. move and exchange for another
- shift the date for our class reunion
Definition categories: change, exchange, interchange, replace, substitute
8. move sideways or in an unsteady way
Similar word(s): careen, tilt, wobble
Definition categories: motion, move
9. move abruptly
Definition categories: motion, move
10. use a shift key on a keyboard
- She could not shift so all her letters are written in lower case
Definition categories: communication, type, typewrite
11. change phonetically as part of a systematic historical change
- Grimm showed how the consonants shifted
Definition categories: change
12. change gears
- you have to shift when you go down a steep hill
Definition categories: change, shift, switch
13. lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
Similar word(s): change, switch
Definition categories: change
Sentences with shift as a verb:
- We'll have to shift these boxes to the downtown office.
- She shifted slightly in her seat.
- His political stance shifted daily.
- I crested the hill and shifted into fifth.
- Shifting 1001 to the left yields 10010; shifting it right yields 100.
- How can I shift a grass stain?
- If you shift, you might make the 2:19.