shiftverb
uk/ʃɪft/us/ʃɪft/shift verb (MOVE/CHANGE)
C1 [ I or T ] to (cause something or someone to) move or change from one position or direction to another, especially slightly:
C1 [ I ] (of an idea, opinion, etc.) to change:
[ T ] mainly US UK usually change to move the gears of a vehicle into different positions in order to make it go faster or slower:
Indian English to leave your home in order to live in a new one; move house
More examples
- He shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other.
- She shifted restlessly in her chair.
- She was shifting around in her seat.
- Fiona shifted around, looking embarrassed.
- He shifted his gaze back to her eyes.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Placing and positioning an object
- -based
- appose
- bung
- change sth around
- consign
- consign sb/sth to sth
- fit
- manoeuvre
- perch
- pop
- position
- sandwich sb/sth between sb/sth
- sandwich sth together
- set sb down
- set sth down
- shelve
- shove
- stand
- stuff
- whack
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
shift verb (GET RID OF)
[ T ] UK informal to get rid of something unwanted, or to sell something:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Removing and getting rid of things
- abandon
- banish
- be scattered to the four winds idiom
- bin
- cast sb/sth aside/away/off
- flay
- fling sth/sb out
- flush
- flush sth out
- fly-tipping
- free sb from/of sth
- pension
- scrap
- shuffle
- throw sth away/out
- throw the baby out with the bathwater idiom
- toss sth aside
- toss sth out
- turf sth out
- weed
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Idiom(s)
Phrasal verb(s)
shiftnoun
uk/ʃɪft/us/ʃɪft/shift noun (GROUP)
B2 [ C, + sing/pl verb ] a group of workers who do a job for a period of time during the day or night, or the period of time itself:
More examples
- I worked the last hour of my shift on autopilot.
- His shift starts at seven o'clock.
- She's just finished a 13-hour shift at the hospital.
- Studies revealed that doctors were routinely working 15-hours shifts.
- As her shift finishes, mine begins.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Workers in general
- a man of action idiom
- beaver
- drudge
- gang
- graft
- jack-of-all-trades
- manpower
- night shift
- peon
- personnel
- plod
- relay
- staff
- staffing
- team player
- temp
- the shop floor
- workhorse
- working group
- working party
See more results »
shift noun (CHANGE)
C1 [ C ] a change in position or direction:
More examples
- The last few years have seen a shift in opinion on the issue.
- The 1990s saw a shift to democratic government in eastern Europe.
- Rarely has there been such a dramatic shift in American policy and tone.
- Opinion polls show a dramatic shift in attitude towards the environment.
- Recent years have witnessed a shift away from fatty foods.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Change and changes
- a change is as good as a rest idiom
- adjustment
- alteration
- blip
- changeover
- drift
- ebb
- fluctuate
- gradation
- metamorphosis
- modulate
- paradigm shift
- perversion
- punctuated equilibrium
- sea change
- shake-up
- speciation
- step change
- tide
- vicissitudes
See more results »
shift noun (DRESS)
[ C ] a simple dress that hangs straight from the shoulders
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Dresses, suits & gowns
- abaya
- ballgown
- black tie
- burka
- burkini
- jilbab
- jumpsuit
- kaftan
- kimono
- lounge suit
- pinstripe
- robe
- safari suit
- salwar kameez
- sari
- toga
- trouser suit
- tunic
- two-piece
- wrap
See more results »