thucne dictionary
Ctrl + K
​

Anytime now...


Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Thucde.dev Logo

Copyright © 2026 Thucde.dev. All rights reserved.

Source code available on GitHub

Meaning of shift in English | Powered by Free Dictionary API

Loading...

shift

/ʃɪft/

Phonetics

/ʃɪft/

Your browser does not support the audio element.

/ʃɪft/

Your browser does not support the audio element.

/ʃɪft/

Your browser does not support the audio element.

noun

  • A modifier key whose main function is shifting between two or more functions of any of certain other keys (usually by pressing Shift and the other button simultaneously).


noun

  • A type of women's undergarment, a slip.

    Example: Just last week she bought a new shift at the market.
  • A change of workers, now specifically a set group of workers or period of working time.

    Example: We'll work three shifts a day till the job's done.
  • An act of shifting; a slight movement or change.

    Example: There was a shift in the political atmosphere.
  • The gear mechanism in a motor vehicle.

    Example: Does it come with a stick-shift?
  • A bit shift.

  • The infield shift.

    Example: Teams often use the shift against this lefty.
  • (often with the definite article, usually uncountable) The act of kissing passionately.

  • A contrivance, a device to try when other methods fail.

  • A trick, an artifice.

  • The extent, or arrangement, of the overlapping of plank, brick, stones, etc., that are placed in courses so as to break joints.

  • A breaking off and dislocation of a seam; a fault.

  • A mutation in which the DNA or RNA from two different sources (such as viruses or bacteria) combine.

  • In violin-playing, any position of the left hand except that nearest the nut.


verb

  • (sometimes figurative) To move from one place to another; to redistribute.

    Example: We'll have to shift these boxes to the downtown office.
  • To change in form or character; swap.

  • To change position.

    Example: His political stance shifted daily.
  • To change residence; to leave and live elsewhere.

    Example: We are shifting to America next month.
  • To change (clothes, especially underwear).

  • To change (someone's) clothes; sometimes specifically, to change underwear.

  • To change gears (in a car).

    Example: I crested the hill and shifted into fifth.
  • (typewriters) To move the keys of a typewriter over in order to type capital letters and special characters.

  • (computer keyboards) To switch to a character entry mode for capital letters and special characters.

  • To manipulate a binary number by moving all of its digits left or right; compare rotate.

    Example: Shifting 1001 to the left yields 10010; shifting it right yields 100.
  • To remove the first value from an array.

  • To dispose of.

    Example: How can I shift a grass stain?
  • To hurry.

    Example: If you shift, you might make the 2:19.
  • To engage in sexual petting.

  • To resort to expedients for accomplishing a purpose; to contrive; to manage.

  • To practice indirect or evasive methods.

  • In violin-playing, to move the left hand from its original position next to the nut.