shift meaning and definition

SHIFT noun

Definition of shift (noun)

1. an event in which something is displaced without rotation
   • synonyms: displacement
2. a qualitative change
   • synonyms: transformation, transmutation
3. the time period during which you are at work
   • synonyms: duty period, work shift
4. the act of changing one thing or position for another
   • "his switch on abortion cost him the election"
   • synonyms: switch, switching
5. the act of moving from one place to another
   • "his constant shifting disrupted the class"
   • synonyms: shifting
6. (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
   • "they built it right over a geological fault"; "he studied the faulting of the earth's crust"
   • synonyms: break, fault, faulting, fracture, geological fault
7. a crew of workers who work for a specific period of time
8. the key on the typewriter keyboard that shifts from lower-case letters to upper-case letters
   • synonyms: shift key
9. a woman's sleeveless undergarment
   • synonyms: chemise, shimmy, slip, teddy
10. a loose-fitting dress hanging straight from the shoulders without a waist
    • synonyms: chemise, sack

SHIFT verb

Definition of shift (verb)

1. make a shift in or exchange of
   • "First Joe led; then we switched"
   • synonyms: change over, switch
2. change place or direction
   • "Shift one's position"
   • synonyms: dislodge, reposition
3. move around
   • "transfer the packet from his trouser pockets to a pocket in his jacket"
   • synonyms: transfer
4. move very slightly
   • "He shifted in his seat"
   • synonyms: agitate, budge, stir
5. move from one setting or context to another
   • "shift the emphasis"; "shift one's attention"
6. change in quality
   • "His tone shifted"
7. move and exchange for another
   • "shift the date for our class reunion"
8. move sideways or in an unsteady way
   • "The ship careened out of control"
   • synonyms: careen, tilt, wobble
9. move abruptly
   • "The ship suddenly lurched to the left"
   • synonyms: lurch, pitch
10. use a shift key on a keyboard
    • "She could not shift so all her letters are written in lower case"
11. change phonetically as part of a systematic historical change
    • "Grimm showed how the consonants shifted"
12. change gears
    • "you have to shift when you go down a steep hill"
13. lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
    • "switch to a different brand of beer"; "She switched psychiatrists"; "The car changed lanes"
    • synonyms: change, switch