shift

noun

A movement to do something, a beginning.

An act of shifting; a slight movement or change.

A simple straight-hanging, loose-fitting dress.

A change of workers, now specifically a set group of workers or period of working time.

(US) The gear mechanism in a motor vehicle.

(computing) A control code or character used to change between different character sets.

(computing) An instance of the use of such a code or character.

(computing) A bit shift.

(baseball) An infield shift.

(Ireland, crude slang, often with the definite article, usually uncountable) The act of kissing passionately.

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

(mining) A breaking off and dislocation of a seam; a fault.

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

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

A period of time in which one's consciousness resides in another reality, usually achieved through meditation or other means.

(British slang) be done; ruined

(computing) 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).

Alternative spelling of Shift (“a modifier button of computer keyboards”). [(computing) 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).]

(obsolete) A share, a portion assigned on division.

(historical) A type of women's undergarment of dress length worn under dresses or skirts, a slip or chemise.

(archaic) A contrivance, a device to try when other methods fail.

(archaic) A trick, an artifice.

verb

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

(ergative, figurative) To change in form or character; switch.

(intransitive, sometimes reflexive and figurative) To change position; to move.

(intransitive, India) To change residence; to leave and live elsewhere.

(intransitive) To change gears (in an automobile).

(typewriters) To move the keys of a typewriter over in order to type capital letters or special characters.

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

(transitive, computing) To manipulate a binary number by moving all of its digits left or right; compare rotate.

(transitive, computing) To remove (the first value from an array).

(transitive) To dispose of, remove.

(intransitive) To hurry; to move quickly.

(Ireland, vulgar, slang, transitive) To engage in sexual petting with.

(intransitive) To practice indirect or evasive methods; to contrive.

(intransitive, music) In violin-playing, to move the left hand from its original position next to the nut.

(intransitive) To use meditation or other means to change the reality that one's consciousness resides in.

(Nigeria, slang) To steal or kidnap.

(Minecraft, video games) To crouch in game, especially if the shift key is pressed to initiate crouching.

(obsolete, transitive) To change (clothes, especially underwear); to change the clothes of.

(obsolete, transitive, reflexive) To change (someone's) clothes; sometimes specifically, to change underwear.

(archaic, intransitive) To resort to expedients for accomplishing a purpose; to cope, get by, manage, make do.

Synonyms for shift

changen switchn transformationn transfern displacementn changeovern transitionn budgev moven rotatev transformv turnaboutn dislodgev turnv alterv relocatev

Synonyms & related words for shift

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of shift — including change, switch, transformation, transfer, displacement, changeover. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to shift

Explore words related to shift — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include reposition, downshift, lurch, transmutation, tilt, switchover, careen, caseates. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for shift

Common synonyms for shift include change, switch, transformation, transfer, displacement, changeover, transition, budge — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.