shift

//ʃɪft//
B1Frequency Level 6Neutral
Visual representation of shift

Verb

shiftInfinitive
shiftPresent tense
shiftedPast tense
shiftedPast participle
shiftingPresent participle
shiftsThird-person singular
1

to move or cause to move from one place or position to another

Can you help me shift this table to the other side of the room?

2

to change or cause to change in form, character, or direction

The wind shifted direction suddenly.

3

to change gears in a vehicle

You need to shift into second gear when going uphill.

4

to transfer responsibility or blame to someone else

He tried to shift the blame onto his colleague.

Noun

shiftSingular
shiftsPlural
1

a change in position, direction, or tendency

There has been a shift in public opinion on this issue.

2

a scheduled period of work, especially in a job that operates continuously

I work the night shift at the hospital.

3

a group of workers who work during a particular shift

The night shift starts work at 10 p.m.

4

a woman's straight, unwaisted dress

She wore a simple black shift to the party.

5

a key on a keyboard used to type capital letters or alternative characters

Hold down the shift key to type a capital letter.

shift - Deep Vocabulary