Shift

/ʃˈɪft/

/ˈʃɪft/

Definition & Meaning of "shift"

to shift

VERB

to move from a particular place or position to another

Intransitive: to shift | to shift somewhere

Example

As the storm approached, residents were advised to shift to higher ground.

The cat lazily shifted from the sunny spot on the windowsill to the cooler shade beneath the table.

to change one's opinion, idea, attitude, or plan

Transitive: to shift one's opinion or standpoint [adj]

Example

After hearing the compelling arguments, she decided to shift her opinion on the controversial issue.

The team members discussed the project and agreed to shift their approach to meet the evolving needs of the client.

(of wind) to move to a different direction

veer

come about

Intransitive: to shift | to shift to a direction

Example

As the storm approached, the wind began to shift, making sailing conditions more challenging.

The forecast predicted that the wind would shift to the northwest later in the day.

to move or alter the location, arrangement, or orientation of something

Transitive: to shift sth

Example

The office decided to shift the desks to create a more collaborative workspace.

It was necessary to shift the furniture in the room to accommodate the new bookshelves.

to move or adjust one's body from one position to another

Intransitive

Example

To get a better angle for the photograph, the photographer had to shift and crouch down slightly.

As the movie progressed, the audience would occasionally shift in their seats to get a better view of the screen.

to substitute or replace one thing with another

Transitive: to shift sth

Example

The company shifted its vehicle fleet from predominantly gas-powered to electric.

The company shifted its software platform, moving from a traditional system to a cloud-based solution.

(of a policy, point of view, or situation) to become something different

Intransitive

Example

Over the years, public opinion on the issue of climate change has gradually shifted.

The political landscape can shift rapidly during an election season.

to change the gear or transmission mode in a vehicle

Intransitive: to shift into higher or lower gear

Example

As they approached the hill, the driver had to shift into a lower gear to maintain a steady ascent.

Before entering the highway, the driver decided to shift into a higher gear for smoother acceleration.

to undergo a systematic phonetic change in language over a period of time

Intransitive

Example

Historical phonetics studies how speech sounds shift over time, shedding light on the intricate patterns of language change.

The vowel system in the dialect slowly shifted as a result of historical linguistic influences.

to activate or engage the shift key on a keyboard

Intransitive

Example

To type the capital letter " A, " you need to shift and press the corresponding key on the keyboard.

The programmer had to constantly shift to enter special characters and symbols required in the code.

to move or change position swiftly and suddenly

Intransitive

Example

The sudden gust of wind caused the umbrella to shift and nearly fly out of her hands.

In response to the emergency alarm, the crowd shifted towards the exits.

Shift

NOUN

the period of time when a group of people work during the day or night

Example

After a long night shift, she was tired and went straight to bed.

My work shift starts at 6 AM and ends at 2 PM.

1.1

a group of workers scheduled to work during a specific period of time

Example

The night shift always manages to complete their tasks efficiently.

The morning shift reported several issues with the new equipment.

a simple and loose-fitting dress that hangs straight down from the shoulders and does not have a waistline

What is a "shift"?

A shift is a type of dress that hangs loosely from the shoulders and has a straight or slightly fitted silhouette. It is typically made of lightweight and flowing fabrics, such as cotton or silk, and is known for its simplicity and versatility. The dress originated in the 1920s as a fashionable alternative to the more restrictive and heavily embellished styles of the time. Shifts often have minimal or no ornamentation, and they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. They are a staple of many women's wardrobes and can be worn for a range of events, from casual outings to formal occasions when paired with the right accessories.

Example

She wore a comfortable shift to the casual summer party.

The designer 's collection featured an elegant silk shift.

an event in which something is displaced without rotation

a significant change in the nature or quality of something

Example

The policy shift improved the company's working conditions.

There was a noticeable shift in the public's attitude towards environmental issues.

the act of moving something from one position or condition to another

Example

The company planned the shift of its headquarters to a larger building.

The factory workers managed the shift of the production line efficiently.