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 shift shift /ˈʃɪft/

noun

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

verb

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