Pronunciation: /ʃɪft/

Definitions of shift

noun A change or transfer from one place, position, or direction to another

Example Sentences

A1 I need to take a break during my shift at work.

A2 The night shift at the hospital is usually quieter than the day shift.

B1 There has been a shift in public opinion regarding the new government policies.

B2 The company decided to implement a shift system to cover 24-hour operations.

C1 The shift in global economic power is evident in the rise of emerging markets.

C2 The shift in consumer preferences has led to a decline in traditional retail stores.

verb To move or transfer from one place, position, or direction to another

Example Sentences

A1 I shift my weight from one foot to the other when I stand for a long time.

A2 She shifted the furniture around to create more space in the room.

B1 The company decided to shift its focus to online sales due to the pandemic.

B2 The political landscape shifted dramatically after the election.

C1 The tectonic plates slowly shift over millions of years, causing earthquakes and mountains to form.

C2 The artist's style has shifted significantly over the years, reflecting different influences and experiences.

Examples of shift in a Sentence

formal The company implemented a new policy to shift focus towards sustainability.

informal I'm going to shift my schedule around so I can make it to the party.

slang Let's shift gears and try something new for a change.

figurative His perspective on the situation began to shift as he learned more about it.

Grammatical Forms of shift

past tense

shifted

plural

shifts

comparative

more shifting

superlative

most shifting

present tense

shift

future tense

will shift

perfect tense

have shifted

continuous tense

is shifting

singular

shift

positive degree

shift

infinitive

to shift

gerund

shifting

participle

shifted

Origin and Evolution of shift

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'shift' originated from the Old English word 'sciftan' meaning 'to arrange or divide'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'shift' evolved to also include the idea of changing or moving something from one place to another.