COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Collins Cobuild)

se|vere ◆◆◇ /s I v I ə ^r / (severer , severest )

1 ADJ You use severe to indicate that something bad or undesirable is great or intense. □ …a business with severe cash flow problems. □ Steve passed out on the floor and woke up blinded and in severe pain. □ Shortages of professional staff are very severe in some places. ● se|vere|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Much of Britain was severely affected by blizzards. □ An aircraft overshot the runway and was severely damaged. ● se|ver|ity /s I ve r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Several treatments are used to lessen the severity of the symptoms.

2 ADJ Severe punishments or criticisms are very strong or harsh. □ This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary. ● se|vere|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …a campaign to try to change the law to punish dangerous drivers more severely. ● se|ver|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The Bishop said he was sickened by the severity of the sentence. SYNONYMS severe ADJ

1

serious: The government still face very serious difficulties.

critical: Its day-to-day finances are in a critical state.

terrible: Tens of thousands of people suffered terrible injuries.

grave: I have grave doubts that the documents tell the whole story.

2

strict: My parents were very strict.

harsh: …the cold, harsh cruelty of her husband.

cruel: …struggling to survive in a cruel world with which they cannot cope.

sew /soʊ / (sews , sewing , sewed , sewn )

1 VERB When you sew something such as clothes, you make them or repair them by joining pieces of cloth together by passing thread through them with a needle. □ [V n] She sewed the dresses on the sewing machine. □ [V n with on ] Anyone can sew on a button, including you. □ [V ] Mrs Roberts was a dressmaker, and she taught her daughter to sew. [Also V n prep]

2 VERB When something such as a hand or finger is sewn back by a doctor, it is joined with the patient's body using a needle and thread. □ [be V -ed adv] The hand was preserved in ice by neighbours and sewn back on in hospital.

3 → see also sewing

▸ sew up

1 PHRASAL VERB If you sew up pieces of cloth or tears in cloth or skin, you join them together using a needle and thread. □ [V P n] Next day, Miss Stone decided to sew up the rip. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If someone sews up something such as a business deal, an election, or a game, they make sure that they will get the result they want. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] If they didn't move fast, Johnson could sew this deal up within days. □ [V -ed P ] The Italians think they've got it all sewn up. [Also V P n]

sew|age /suː I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Sewage is waste matter such as faeces or dirty water from homes and factories, which flows away through sewers. □ …the MPs' call for more treatment of raw sewage.

sew|er /suː ə ^r / (sewers ) N‑COUNT A sewer is a large underground channel that carries waste matter and rain water away, usually to a place where it is treated and made harmless. □ …the city's sewer system. □ …open sewers.

sew|er|age /suː ər I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Sewerage is the system by which waste matter is carried away in sewers and made harmless. □ …without access to any services such as water or sewerage.

sew|ing /soʊ I ŋ/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Sewing is the activity of making or mending clothes or other things using a needle and thread. □ Her mother had always done all the sewing.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Sewing is clothes or other things that are being sewn. □ We all got out our own sewing and sat in front of the log fire.

se w|ing ma|chine (sewing machines ) N‑COUNT A sewing machine is a machine that you use for sewing.

sewn /soʊ n/ Sewn is the past participle of sew .

sex ◆◆◇ /se ks/ (sexes , sexing , sexed )

1 N‑COUNT The two sexes are the two groups, male and female, into which people and animals are divided according to the function they have in producing young. □ …an entertainment star who appeals to all ages and both sexes. □ …differences between the sexes.

2 → see also fair sex , opposite sex , same-sex , single-sex

3 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] The sex of a person or animal is their characteristic of being either male or female. □ She continually failed to gain promotion because of her sex. □ [+ of ] The new technique has been used to identify the sex of foetuses.

4 N‑UNCOUNT Sex is the physical activity by which people can produce young. □ He was very open in his attitudes about sex. □ We have a very active sex life.

5 PHRASE If two people have sex , they perform the act of sex. □ [+ with ] Have you ever thought about having sex with someone other than your partner?

▸ sex up PHRASAL VERB To sex something up means to make it more interesting and exciting. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] They wanted to modernise the programme, sex it up. [Also V P n, V -ed P ]

se x aid (sex aids ) N‑COUNT A sex aid is an object or piece of equipment that is designed to make sex easier or better.

se x ap|peal N‑UNCOUNT Someone's sex appeal is their sexual attractiveness. □ She still has the energy and sex appeal of a woman less than half her age.

-sexed /-se kst/ COMB -sexed is used after adverbs such as 'over' and 'under' to form adjectives which indicate that someone wants to have sex too often or not often enough. □ My husband has always been a bit over-sexed.

se x edu|ca|tion N‑UNCOUNT Sex education is education in schools on the subject of sexual activity and sexual relationships.

se x god|dess (sex goddesses ) N‑COUNT If you refer to a woman, especially a film star, as a sex goddess , you mean that many people consider her to be sexually attractive. [JOURNALISM ] □ The actress was at the height of her popularity as a sex goddess.

sex|ism /se ks I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Sexism is the belief that the members of one sex, usually women, are less intelligent or less capable than those of the other sex and need not be treated equally. It is also the behaviour which is the result of this belief. □ Groups like ours are committed to eradicating homophobia, racism and sexism.

sex|ist /se ks I st/ (sexists ) ADJ If you describe people or their behaviour as sexist , you mean that they are influenced by the belief that the members of one sex, usually women, are less intelligent or less capable than those of the other sex and need not be treated equally. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Old-fashioned sexist attitudes are still common. ● N‑COUNT A sexist is someone with sexist views or behaviour.

sex|less /se ksləs/ ADJ If you describe a person as sexless , you mean that they have no sexual feelings or that they are not sexually active. A sexless relationship does not involve sex. □ …a neurotic and sexless woman.

se x life (sex lives ) N‑COUNT [oft with poss] If you refer to someone's sex life , you are referring to their sexual relationships and sexual activity.

se x ob|ject (sex objects ) N‑COUNT If someone is described as a sex object , he or she is considered only in terms of their physical attractiveness and not their character or abilities. □ He cared for her as a whole person rather than just a sex object.

sex|olo|gist /seksɒ lədʒ I st/ (sexologists ) N‑COUNT A sexologist is a person who studies sexual relationships and gives advice or makes reports. □ …Alfred Kinsey, the pioneering sexologist.

sex|pot /se kspɒt/ (sexpots ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a sexpot , you mean that they are sexually very attractive. [INFORMAL ]

se x shop (sex shops ) N‑COUNT A sex shop is a shop that sells products associated with sex, for example magazines, videos, and special clothing or equipment.

se x sym|bol (sex symbols ) N‑COUNT A sex symbol is a famous person, especially an actor or a singer, who is considered by many people to be sexually attractive. □ …Hollywood sex symbols of the Forties.

sex|tant /se kstənt/ (sextants ) N‑COUNT A sextant is an instrument used for measuring angles, for example between the sun and the horizon, so that the position of a ship or aeroplane can be calculated.

sex|tet /se kste t/ (sextets )

1 N‑COUNT A sextet is a group of six musicians or singers who play or sing together. □ …the Paul Rogers Sextet.

2 N‑COUNT A sextet is a piece of music written for six performers.

sext|ing /se kst I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Sexting is the activity of using a mobile phone to send text messages that are about sex or to send sexual photographs. □ He was expelled from school for sexting.

se x toy (sex toys ) N‑COUNT A sex toy is an object that some people use to give sexual pleasure.

sex|ual ◆◆◇ /se kʃuəl/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sexual feelings or activities are connected with the act of sex or with people's desire for sex. □ This was the first sexual relationship I had had. □ Men's sexual fantasies often have little to do with their sexual desire. ● sex|ual|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ …sexually transmitted diseases. □ How many kids in this school are sexually active?

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sexual means relating to the differences between male and female people. □ Women's groups denounced sexual discrimination. ● sex|ual|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ If you're sexually harassed, you ought to do something about it.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sexual means relating to the differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals. □ …couples of all sexual persuasions.

4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sexual means relating to the biological process by which people and animals produce young. □ Girls generally reach sexual maturity two years earlier than boys. ● sex|ual|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ The first organisms that reproduced sexually were free-floating plankton.

se x|ual abu se N‑UNCOUNT If a child or other person suffers sexual abuse , someone forces them to take part in sexual activity with them, often regularly over a period of time.

se x|ual ha r|ass|ment N‑UNCOUNT Sexual harassment is repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, looks, or physical contact at work, usually a man's actions that offend a woman.

se x|ual i nter|course N‑UNCOUNT Sexual intercourse is the physical act of sex between two people. [FORMAL ]

sexu|al|ity /se kʃuæ l I ti/

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] A person's sexuality is their sexual feelings. □ …the growing discussion of women's sexuality.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] You can refer to a person's sexuality when you are talking about whether they are sexually attracted to people of the same sex or a different sex. □ He believes he has been discriminated against because of his sexuality.

sex|ual|ize /se kʃuəla I z/ (sexualizes , sexualizing , sexualized ) in BRIT, also use sexualise VERB To sexualize something or someone means to make them sexual or consider them in a sexual way. □ [V n] Referring to children's friends as girlfriends and boyfriends sexualizes them. □ [V -ed] Rape is sexualised violence.

se x|ual ori|en|ta |tion (sexual orientations ) N‑VAR [oft poss N ] Someone's sexual orientation is whether they are sexually attracted to people of the same sex, people of the opposite sex, or both.

se x|ual pre f|er|ence (sexual preferences ) N‑VAR [oft poss N ] Someone's sexual preference is the same as their sexual orientation .

sexy /se ksi/ (sexier , sexiest ) ADJ You can describe people and things as sexy if you think they are sexually exciting or sexually attractive. □ Women found his voice incredibly sexy.

SF /e s e f/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] SF is the same as science fiction . □ There must be aliens out there, said the SF writers, and the scientists now, on the whole, agree.

sfx Sfx is an abbreviation for special effects . [WRITTEN ]

SGML /e s dʒiː em e l/ N‑UNCOUNT SGML is a computer language for creating files using a system of codes. SGML is an abbreviation for 'standard generalized mark-up language'.

Sgt in AM, use Sgt. N‑TITLE Sgt is the written abbreviation for sergeant when it is used as a title. □ …Sgt Johnston.

sh /ʃ/ also shh CONVENTION You can say ' Sh! ' to tell someone to be quiet. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN ]

shab|by /ʃæ bi/ (shabbier , shabbiest )

1 ADJ Shabby things or places look old and in bad condition. □ His clothes were old and shabby. □ He walked past her into a tiny, shabby room.

2 ADJ A person who is shabby is wearing old, worn clothes. □ …a shabby, tall man with dark eyes.

3 ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as shabby , you think they behave in an unfair or unacceptable way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It was hard to say why the man deserved such shabby treatment. □ [+ of ] I knew it was shabby of me, but I couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed.

Sha b|by Chi c N‑UNCOUNT Shabby Chic is a style of decorating the inside of a house in which the furniture and house look slightly used or old in a way that is attractive. [TRADEMARK ] □ Her apartment is the ultimate in Shabby Chic.

shack /ʃæ k/ (shacks , shacking , shacked ) N‑COUNT A shack is a simple hut built from tin, wood, or other materials.

▸ shack up PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone has shacked up with someone else or that two people have shacked up together, you disapprove of the fact that they have started living together as lovers. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P + with ] …the deserters who had shacked up with local women. □ [V P ] The Government was keen for people to get married rather than shack up. □ [be V -ed P ] It turned out she was shacked up with a lawyer in New York.

shack|le /ʃæ k ^ə l/ (shackles , shackling , shackled )

1 VERB [usu passive] If you are shackled by something, it prevents you from doing what you want to do. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + by ] The trade unions are shackled by the law. □ [be V -ed + to ] …people who find themselves shackled to a high-stress job.

2 N‑PLURAL If you throw off the shackles of something, you reject it or free yourself from it because it was preventing you from doing what you wanted to do. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …a country ready to throw off the shackles of its colonial past.

3 N‑PLURAL Shackles are two metal rings joined by a chain which are fastened around someone's wrists or ankles in order to prevent them from moving or escaping. □ He unbolted the shackles on Billy's hands.

4 VERB To shackle someone means to put shackles on them. □ [V n] …the chains that were shackling his legs.

shade ◆◇◇ /ʃe I d/ (shades , shading , shaded )

1 N‑COUNT [in N ] A shade of a particular colour is one of its different forms. For example, emerald green and olive green are shades of green. □ [+ of ] The walls were painted in two shades of green. □ …new eyeshadows in a choice of 80 shades.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in the N ] Shade is an area of darkness under or next to an object such as a tree, where sunlight does not reach. □ Temperatures in the shade can reach forty-eight degrees Celsius at this time of year. □ …exotic trees provide welcome shade.

3 VERB If you say that a place or person is shaded by objects such as trees, you mean that the place or person cannot be reached, harmed, or bothered by strong sunlight because those objects are in the way. □ [be V -ed] …a health resort whose beaches are shaded by palm trees. □ [V n] Umbrellas shade outdoor cafes along winding cobblestone streets.

4 VERB If you shade your eyes, you put your hand or an object partly in front of your face in order to prevent a bright light from shining into your eyes. □ [V n] You can't look directly into it; you've got to shade your eyes or close them altogether.

5 N‑UNCOUNT Shade is darkness or shadows as they are shown in a picture. □ …Rembrandt's skilful use of light and shade to create the atmosphere of movement.

6 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The shades of something abstract are its many, slightly different forms. □ [+ of ] …the capacity to convey subtle shades of meaning.

7 VERB If something shades into something else, there is no clear division between the two things, so that you cannot tell where or when the first thing ends and the second thing begins. □ [V + into ] As the dusk shaded into night, we drove slowly through narrow alleys.

8 N‑PLURAL Shades are sunglasses . [INFORMAL ]

9 N‑COUNT A shade is the same as a lampshade .

10 N‑COUNT A shade is a piece of stiff cloth or heavy paper that you can pull down over a window as a covering. [AM ] □ Nancy left the shades down and the lights off. in BRIT, use blind 11 → see also shaded , shading

12 PHRASE To put someone or something in the shade means to be so impressive that the person or thing seems unimportant by comparison. □ …a run that put every other hurdler's performance in the shade.

shad|ed /ʃe I d I d/ ADJ A shaded area on something such as a map is one that is coloured darker than the surrounding areas, so that it can be distinguished from them.

-shaded /-ʃe I d I d/ COMB -shaded combines with nouns to form adjectives which indicate that sunlight is prevented from reaching a certain place by the thing mentioned. □ …a winding, tree-shaded driveway.

shad|ing /ʃe I d I ŋ/ (shadings )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Shading is material such as nets or dark paint that provide shade, especially for plants. □ The conservatory will get very hot in summer unless shading is used.

2 → see also shade

shad|ow ◆◇◇ /ʃæ doʊ/ (shadows , shadowing , shadowed )

1 N‑COUNT A shadow is a dark shape on a surface that is made when something stands between a light and the surface. □ An oak tree cast its shadow over a tiny round pool. □ [+ of ] Nothing would grow in the shadow of the grey wall. □ All he could see was his shadow.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] Shadow is darkness in a place caused by something preventing light from reaching it. □ Most of the lake was in shadow.

3 VERB If something shadows a thing or place, it covers it with a shadow. □ [V n] The hood shadowed her face.

4 VERB If someone shadows you, they follow you very closely wherever you go. □ [be V -ed] The supporters are being shadowed by a large and highly visible body of police.

5 ADJ [ADJ n] A British Member of Parliament who is a member of the shadow cabinet or who is a shadow cabinet minister belongs to the main opposition party and takes a special interest in matters which are the responsibility of a particular government minister. □ …the shadow chancellor. ● N‑COUNT Shadow is also a noun. □ Clarke swung at his shadow the accusation that he was 'a tabloid politician'.

6 PHRASE If you say that something is true without a shadow of a doubt or without a shadow of doubt , you are emphasizing that there is no doubt at all that it is true. [EMPHASIS ] □ It was without a shadow of a doubt the best we've played.

7 PHRASE If you live in the shadow of someone or in their shadow , their achievements and abilities are so great that you are not noticed or valued. □ He has always lived in the shadow of his brother.

8 PHRASE If you say that someone is a shadow of their former self , you mean that they are much less strong or capable than they used to be. □ Johnson returned to the track after his ban but was a shadow of his former self.

sha d|ow box|ing

1 N‑UNCOUNT Shadow boxing is a form of physical exercise or training in which you move your hands and feet as if you are boxing someone.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you describe what two people or groups are doing as shadow boxing , you mean that they seem to be taking action against each other but in fact are not serious about the dispute. □ …the tedious shadow boxing that we normally see between bosses and unions.

shad|owy /ʃæ doʊi/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A shadowy place is dark or full of shadows. □ I watched him from a shadowy corner.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] A shadowy figure or shape is someone or something that you can hardly see because they are in a dark place. □ …a tall, shadowy figure silhouetted against the pale wall.

3 ADJ You describe activities and people as shadowy when very little is known about them. □ …the shadowy world of spies.

shady /ʃe I di/ (shadier , shadiest )

1 ADJ You can describe a place as shady when you like the fact that it is sheltered from bright sunlight, for example by trees or buildings. □ After flowering, place the pot in a shady spot in the garden.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Shady trees provide a lot of shade. □ Clara had been reading in a lounge chair under a shady tree.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe activities as shady when you think that they might be dishonest or illegal. You can also use shady to describe people who are involved in such activities. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The company was notorious for shady deals.

shaft /ʃɑː ft, ʃæ ft/ (shafts )

1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A shaft is a long vertical passage, for example for a lift. □ He was found dead at the bottom of a lift shaft. □ …old mine shafts.

2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] In a machine, a shaft is a rod that turns round continually in order to transfer movement in the machine. □ …a drive shaft. □ …the propeller shaft.

3 N‑COUNT A shaft is a long thin piece of wood or metal that forms part of a spear, axe, golf club, or other object. □ …golf clubs with steel shafts.

4 N‑COUNT A shaft of light is a beam of light, for example sunlight shining through an opening. □ [+ of ] A brilliant shaft of sunlight burst through the doorway.

shag /ʃæ g/ (shags , shagging , shagged ) VERB If someone shags another person, or if two people shag , they have sex together. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ] ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Shag is also a noun. □ …a spy movie with car chases, a murder, a shag and a happy ending.

shag|gy /ʃæ gi/ (shaggier , shaggiest ) ADJ Shaggy hair or fur is long and untidy. □ Tim has longish, shaggy hair.

Shah /ʃɑː / (Shahs ) N‑PROPER In former times, the Shah of Iran was its ruler.

shaikh /ʃe I k/ (shaikhs ) → see sheikh

shake ◆◆◇ /ʃe I k/ (shakes , shaking , shook , shaken )

1 VERB If you shake something, you hold it and move it quickly backwards and forwards or up and down. You can also shake a person, for example, because you are angry with them or because you want them to wake up. □ [V n] The nurse shook the thermometer and put it under my armpit. □ [V n] Shake the rugs well and hang them for a few hours before replacing on the floor. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Shake is also a noun. □ She picked up the bag of salad and gave it a shake.

2 VERB If you shake yourself or your body, you make a lot of quick, small, repeated movements without moving from the place where you are. □ [V pron-refl] As soon as he got inside, the dog shook himself. □ [V n] He shook his hands to warm them up. ● N‑COUNT Shake is also a noun. □ Take some slow, deep breaths and give your body a bit of a shake.

3 VERB If you shake your head , you turn it from side to side in order to say 'no' or to show disbelief or sadness. □ [V n] 'Anything else?' Colum asked. Kathryn shook her head wearily. ● N‑COUNT Shake is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Palmer gave a sad shake of his head.

4 VERB If you are shaking , or a part of your body is shaking , you are making quick, small movements that you cannot control, for example because you are cold or afraid. □ [V ] My hand shook so much that I could hardly hold the microphone. □ [V + with ] I stood there, crying and shaking with fear.

5 VERB If you shake your fist or an object such as a stick at someone, you wave it in the air in front of them because you are angry with them. □ [V n + at ] The colonel rushed up to Earle, shaking his gun at him.

6 VERB If a force shakes something, or if something shakes , it moves from side to side or up and down with quick, small, but sometimes violent movements. □ [V n] …an explosion that shook buildings several kilometers away. □ [V ] The breeze grew in strength, the flags shook, plastic bunting creaked.

7 VERB To shake something into a certain place or state means to bring it into that place or state by moving it quickly up and down or from side to side. □ [V n prep] Small insects can be collected by shaking them into a jar. □ [V n with adv] Shake off any excess flour before putting the liver in the pan.

8 VERB If your voice is shaking , you cannot control it properly and it sounds very unsteady, for example because you are nervous or angry. □ [V + with ] His voice shaking with rage, he asked why the report was kept from the public. [Also V ]

9 VERB If an event or a piece of news shakes you, or shakes your confidence, it makes you feel upset and unable to think calmly. □ [V n] The news of Tandy's escape had shaken them all. ● shak|en ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ Unhurt, but a bit shaken, she was trying not to cry.

10 VERB If an event shakes a group of people or their beliefs, it causes great uncertainty and makes them question their beliefs. □ [V n] It won't shake the football world if we beat Torquay.

11 N‑COUNT A shake is the same as a milkshake . □ He sent his driver to fetch him a strawberry shake.

12 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is no great shakes , you mean that they are not very skilful or effective. [INFORMAL ] □ I'm no great shakes as a detective. □ The protests have failed partly because the opposition politicians are no great shakes.

13 PHRASE If you shake someone's hand or shake someone by the hand , you shake hands with them. □ I said congratulations and walked over to him and shook his hand.

14 PHRASE If you shake hands with someone, you take their right hand in your own for a few moments, often moving it up and down slightly, when you are saying hello or goodbye to them, congratulating them, or agreeing on something. You can also say that two people shake hands . □ [+ with ] He shook hands with his admirers as he made his way to the front.

15 to shake the foundations of something → see foundation

▸ shake down PHRASAL VERB If someone shakes you down , they use threats or search you physically in order to obtain something from you. [AM ] □ [V P n] Former police checkpoints on highways were being used to shake down motorists for bribes. [Also V n P ]

▸ shake off

1 PHRASAL VERB If you shake off something that you do not want such as an illness or a bad habit, you manage to recover from it or get rid of it. □ [V P n] Businessmen are trying to shake off habits learned under six decades of a protected economy. □ [V n P ] He was generally feeling bad. He just couldn't shake it off.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you shake off someone who is following you, you manage to get away from them, for example by running faster than them. □ [V n P ] I caught him a lap later, and although I could pass him I could not shake him off. □ [V P n] He was unaware that they had shaken off their pursuers.

3 PHRASAL VERB If you shake off someone who is touching you, you move your arm or body sharply so that they are no longer touching you. □ [V n P ] He grabbed my arm. I shook him off. □ [V P n] She shook off his restraining hand.

▸ shake out

1 PHRASAL VERB If you shake out a cloth or a piece of clothing, you hold it by one of its edges and move it up and down one or more times, in order to open it out, make it flat, or remove dust. □ [V P n] While the water was heating she decided to shake out the carpet. □ [V n P ] I took off my poncho, shook it out, and hung it on a peg.

2 → see also shake-out

▸ shake up

1 PHRASAL VERB If someone shakes up something such as an organization, an institution, or a profession, they make major changes to it. □ [V P n] The government wanted to reform the institutions, to shake up the country. □ [V n P ] Shareholders are preparing to shake things up in the boardrooms.

2 → see also shake-up

3 PHRASAL VERB If you are shaken up or shook up by an unpleasant experience, it makes you feel shocked and upset, and unable to think calmly or clearly. □ [be V -ed P ] The jockey was shaken up when he was thrown twice from his horse yesterday. □ [V n P ] He was in the car when those people died. That really shook him up. [Also V P n (not pron)]

shake|down /ʃe I kdaʊn/ (shakedowns )

1 N‑COUNT If an organization or system is given a shakedown , it is thoroughly reorganized in order to make it more efficient.

2 N‑COUNT A shakedown of a boat, plane, or car is its final test before it starts to be used.

shak|en /ʃe I kən/ Shaken is the past participle of shake .

sha ke-out (shake-outs ) in AM, use shakeout N‑COUNT [usu sing] A shake-out is a major set of changes in a system or an organization which results in a large number of companies closing or a large number of people losing their jobs. [JOURNALISM ] □ This should be the year of a big shake-out in Italian banking.

Shak|er /ʃe I kə ^r / (Shakers )

1 N‑COUNT A Shaker is a member of an American religious group whose members live in communities and have a very simple life.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Shaker furniture is usually made of wood and has a very simple design.

sha ke-up (shake-ups ) in AM, use shakeup N‑COUNT A shake-up is a major set of changes in an organization or a system. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of/in ] …a radical shake-up of the secondary education system.

shaky /ʃe I ki/ (shakier , shakiest )

1 ADJ If you describe a situation as shaky , you mean that it is weak or unstable, and seems unlikely to last long or be successful. □ A shaky ceasefire is holding after three days of fighting between rival groups. □ I'm afraid that this school year is off to a shaky start.

2 ADJ If your body or your voice is shaky , you cannot control it properly and it shakes, for example because you are ill or nervous. □ We have all had a shaky hand and a dry mouth before speaking in public.

shale /ʃe I l/ (shales ) N‑VAR Shale is smooth soft rock that breaks easily into thin layers.

sha le gas N‑UNCOUNT Shale gas is a natural gas that is removed from rock by forcing liquid and sand into the rock. □ This area has huge deposits of shale gas.

shall ◆◆◇ /ʃəl, STRONG ʃæl/ Shall is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. 1 MODAL You use shall with 'I' and 'we' in questions in order to make offers or suggestions, or to ask for advice. □ Shall I get the keys? □ Shall I call her and ask her to come here? □ Well, shall we go? □ Let's have a nice little stroll, shall we? □ What shall I do?

2 MODAL You use shall , usually with 'I' and 'we', when you are referring to something that you intend to do, or when you are referring to something that you are sure will happen to you in the future. □ We shall be landing in Paris in sixteen minutes, exactly on time. □ I shall know more next month, I hope. □ I shall miss him terribly.

3 MODAL You use shall with 'I' or 'we' during a speech or piece of writing to say what you are going to discuss or explain later. [FORMAL ] □ In Chapter 3, I shall describe some of the documentation that I gathered.

4 MODAL You use shall to indicate that something must happen, usually because of a rule or law. You use shall not to indicate that something must not happen. □ The president shall hold office for five years.

5 MODAL You use shall , usually with 'you', when you are telling someone that they will be able to do or have something they want. □ 'I want to hear all the gossip, all the scandal.'—'You shall, dearie, you shall!'

6 MODAL You use shall with verbs such as 'look forward to' and 'hope' to say politely that you are looking forward to something or hoping to do something. [FORMAL , POLITENESS ] □ Well, we shall look forward to seeing him tomorrow.

7 MODAL You use shall when you are referring to the likely result or consequence of a particular action or situation. □ When large finance companies cut down on their entertainments, we shall know that times really are hard.

shal|lot /ʃəlɒ t/ (shallots ) N‑VAR [usu pl] Shallots are small round vegetables that are the roots of a crop and are similar to onions. They have a strong taste and are used for flavouring other food.

shal|low /ʃæ loʊ/ (shallower , shallowest )

1 ADJ A shallow container, hole, or area of water measures only a short distance from the top to the bottom. □ Put the milk in a shallow dish. □ The water is quite shallow for some distance.

2 ADJ If you describe a person, piece of work, or idea as shallow , you disapprove of them because they do not show or involve any serious or careful thought. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy.

3 ADJ If your breathing is shallow , you take only a very small amount of air into your lungs at each breath. □ She began to hear her own taut, shallow breathing.

shal|lows /ʃæ loʊz/ N‑PLURAL The shallows are the shallow part of an area of water. □ At dusk more fish come into the shallows.

shalt /ʃəlt, STRONG ʃælt/ MODAL Shalt is an old-fashioned form of shall . □ Thou shalt not kill.

sham /ʃæ m/ (shams ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] Something that is a sham is not real or is not really what it seems to be. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The government's promises were exposed as a hollow sham.

sham|an /ʃe I mən/ (shamans )

1 N‑COUNT A shaman is a priest or priestess in shamanism.

2 N‑COUNT Among some Native American peoples, a shaman is a person who is believed to have powers to heal sick people or to remove evil spirits from them.

sham|an|ism /ʃe I məm I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Shamanism is a religion which is based on the belief that the world is controlled by good and evil spirits, and that these spirits can be directed by people with special powers.

sham|bles /ʃæ mb ^ə lz/ N‑SING If a place, event, or situation is a shambles or is in a shambles , everything is in disorder. □ The ship's interior was an utter shambles. □ The economy is in a shambles.

sham|bo|lic /ʃæmbɒ l I k/ ADJ If you describe a situation, person, or place as shambolic , you mean that they are very disorganized. [BRIT ] □ …a shambolic public relations disaster.

shame ◆◇◇ /ʃe I m/ (shames , shaming , shamed )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Shame is an uncomfortable feeling that you get when you have done something wrong or embarrassing, or when someone close to you has. □ She felt a deep sense of shame. □ I was, to my shame, a coward.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone brings shame on you, they make other people lose their respect for you. □ I don't want to bring shame on the family name.

3 VERB If something shames you, it causes you to feel shame. □ [V n] Her son's affair had humiliated and shamed her.

4 VERB If you shame someone into doing something, you force them to do it by making them feel ashamed not to. □ [V n + into/out of ] He would not let neighbours shame him into silence.

5 N‑SING If you say that something is a shame , you are expressing your regret about it and indicating that you wish it had happened differently. [FEELINGS ] □ It's a crying shame that police have to put up with these mindless attacks.

6 CONVENTION You can use shame in expressions such as shame on you and shame on him to indicate that someone ought to feel shame for something they have said or done. [FEELINGS ] □ He tried to deny it. Shame on him!

7 PHRASE If someone puts you to shame , they make you feel ashamed because they do something much better than you do. □ His playing really put me to shame.

shame|faced /ʃe I mfe I st, [AM ] -fe I st/ ADJ If you are shamefaced , you feel embarrassed because you have done something that you know you should not have done. [FORMAL ] □ There was a long silence, and my father looked shamefaced.

shame|ful /ʃe I mfʊl/ ADJ If you describe a person's action or attitude as shameful , you think that it is so bad that the person ought to be ashamed. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the most shameful episode in U.S. naval history. ● shame|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ At times they have been shamefully neglected.

shame|less /ʃe I mləs/ ADJ If you describe someone as shameless , you mean that they should be ashamed of their behaviour, which is unacceptable to other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a shameless attempt to stifle democratic debate. ● shame|less|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ …a shamelessly lazy week-long trip.

sham|poo /ʃæmpuː / (shampoos , shampooing , shampooed )

1 N‑VAR Shampoo is a soapy liquid that you use for washing your hair. □ …a bottle of shampoo. □ …bubble baths, soaps and shampoos.

2 VERB When you shampoo your hair, you wash it using shampoo. □ [V n] Shampoo your hair and dry it. WORD HISTORY shampoo

A shampoo was originally a massage rather than a wash. The word 'shampoo' comes from the Hindi verb chāmpnā , meaning 'press', 'knead', or 'massage'.

sham|rock /ʃæ mrɒk/ (shamrocks ) N‑COUNT A shamrock is a small plant with three round leaves on each stem. The shamrock is the national symbol of Ireland.

shan|dy /ʃæ ndi/ (shandies ) N‑UNCOUNT Shandy is a drink which is made by mixing beer and lemonade. [BRIT ] □ …half a pint of shandy. ● N‑COUNT A glass of shandy can be referred to as a shandy .

shank /ʃæ ŋk/ (shanks )

1 N‑COUNT The shank of an object is the long, thin, straight part of the object. □ These hooks are sharp with long shanks.

2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Shanks are the lower parts of the legs; used especially with reference to meat. □ Turn the shanks and baste them once or twice as they cook.

shan't /ʃɑː nt, ʃæ nt/ Shan't is the usual spoken form of 'shall not'.

shan|ty /ʃæ nti/ (shanties )

1 N‑COUNT A shanty is a small rough hut which poor people live in, built from tin, cardboard, or other materials that are not very strong.

2 N‑COUNT A shanty is a song which sailors used to sing while they were doing work on a ship.

sha n|ty town (shanty towns ) also shantytown N‑COUNT A shanty town is a collection of rough huts which poor people live in, usually in or near a large city.

shape ◆◆◇ /ʃe I p/ (shapes , shaping , shaped )

1 N‑COUNT [oft in N ] The shape of an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round, square, curved, or fat. □ Each mirror is made to order and can be designed to almost any shape or size. □ [+ of ] …little pens in the shape of baseball bats. □ …sofas and chairs of contrasting shapes and colours. □ The buds are conical or pyramidal in shape. □ These bras should be handwashed to help them keep their shape.

2 N‑COUNT You can refer to something that you can see as a shape if you cannot see it clearly, or if its outline is the clearest or most striking aspect of it. □ [+ of ] Lying in bed we often see dark shapes of herons silhouetted against the moon.

3 N‑COUNT A shape is a space enclosed by an outline, for example a circle, a square, or a triangle. □ He suggested that the shapes represented a map of Britain and Ireland.

4 N‑SING The shape of something that is planned or organized is its structure and character. □ [+ of ] The last two weeks have seen a lot of talk about the future shape of Europe.

5 VERB Someone or something that shapes a situation or an activity has a very great influence on the way it develops. □ [V n] Like it or not, our families shape our lives and make us what we are.

6 VERB If you shape an object, you give it a particular shape, using your hands or a tool. □ [V n + into ] Cut the dough in half and shape each half into a loaf.

7 → see also shaped

8 PHRASE If you say that something is the shape of things to come , you mean that it is the start of a new trend or development, and in future things will be like this. □ The new railway station is said to be the shape of things to come.

9 PHRASE If you say, for example, that you will not accept something in any shape or form , or in any way, shape or form , you are emphasizing that you will not accept it in any circumstances. [EMPHASIS ] □ I don't condone violence in any shape or form.

10 PHRASE If someone or something is in shape , or in good shape , they are in a good state of health or in a good condition. If they are in bad shape , they are in a bad state of health or in a bad condition. □ He was still in better shape than many young men. □ The trees were in bad shape from dry rot.

11 PHRASE You can use in the shape of to state exactly who or what you are referring to, immediately after referring to them in a general way. □ The Prime Minister found a surprise ally today in the shape of Jacques Delors, the Commission President.

12 PHRASE If you lick , knock, or whip someone or something into shape , you use whatever methods are necessary to change or improve them so that they are in the condition that you want them to be in. □ You'll have four months in which to lick the recruits into shape.

13 PHRASE If something is out of shape , it is no longer in its proper or original shape, for example because it has been damaged or wrongly handled. □ Once most wires are bent out of shape, they don't return to the original position.

14 PHRASE If you are out of shape , you are unhealthy and unable to do a lot of physical activity without getting tired.

15 PHRASE When something takes shape , it develops or starts to appear in such a way that it becomes fairly clear what its final form will be. □ By Friday night, when we held our regular board meeting, a plan was taking shape.

▸ shape up

1 PHRASAL VERB If something is shaping up , it is starting to develop or seems likely to happen. □ [V P ] There are also indications that a major tank battle may be shaping up for tonight. □ [V P + as ] The accident is already shaping up as a significant environmental disaster. □ [V P to-inf] It's shaping up to be a terrible winter. [Also V P + into ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If you ask how someone or something is shaping up , you want to know how well they are doing in a particular situation or activity. □ [V P + as ] I did have a few worries about how Hugh and I would shape up as parents. □ [V P adv] Girls are being recruited now. I heard they are shaping up very well.

3 PHRASAL VERB If you tell someone to shape up , you are telling them to start behaving in a sensible and responsible way. □ [V P ] It is no use simply to tell adolescents to shape up and do something useful.

shaped ◆◇◇ /ʃe I pt/ ADJ [adv ADJ ] Something that is shaped like a particular object or in a particular way has the shape of that object or a shape of that type. □ [+ like ] A new perfume from Russia came in a bottle shaped like a tank. □ …oddly shaped little packages.

-shaped /-ʃe I pt/ COMB -shaped combines with nouns to form adjectives that describe the shape of an object. □ …large, heart-shaped leaves. □ …an L-shaped settee.

shape|less /ʃe I pləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is shapeless does not have a distinct or attractive shape. □ Aunt Mary wore shapeless black dresses.

shape|ly /ʃe I pli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a woman as shapely , you mean that she has an attractive shape. [APPROVAL ] □ …her shapely legs.

shard /ʃɑː ^r d/ (shards ) N‑COUNT Shards are pieces of broken glass, pottery, or metal. □ [+ of ] Eyewitnesses spoke of rocks and shards of glass flying in the air.

share ◆◆◆ /ʃeə ^r / (shares , sharing , shared )

1 N‑COUNT A company's shares are the many equal parts into which its ownership is divided. Shares can be bought by people as an investment. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ in ] This is why Sir Colin Marshall, British Airways' chairman, has been so keen to buy shares in U.S.-AIR. □ For some months the share price remained fairly static.

2 VERB If you share something with another person, you both have it, use it, or occupy it. You can also say that two people share something. □ [V n + with ] …the small income he had shared with his brother from his father's estate. □ [V n] Two Americans will share this year's Nobel Prize for Medicine. □ [be V -ed + between ] Scarce water resources are shared between states who cannot trust each other. □ [V -ed] Most hostel tenants would prefer single to shared rooms.

3 VERB If you share a task, duty, or responsibility with someone, you each carry out or accept part of it. You can also say that two people share something. □ [V n + with ] You can find out whether they are prepared to share the cost of the flowers with you. □ [V n] The republics have worked out a plan for sharing control of nuclear weapons.

4 VERB If you share an experience with someone, you have the same experience, often because you are with them at the time. You can also say that two people share something. □ [V n + with ] Yes, I want to share my life with you. □ [V n] I felt we both shared the same sense of loss, felt the same pain.

5 VERB [no cont] If you share someone's opinion, you agree with them. □ [V n] We share his view that business can be a positive force for change. □ [V -ed] Prosperity and economic success remain popular and broadly shared goals.

6 VERB [no cont] If one person or thing shares a quality or characteristic with another, they have the same quality or characteristic. You can also say that two people or things share something. □ [V n + with ] …newspapers which share similar characteristics with certain British newspapers. □ [V n] …two groups who share a common language.

7 VERB If you share something that you have with someone, you give some of it to them or let them use it. □ [V n + with ] The village tribe is friendly and they share their water supply with you. □ [V n + among ] Scientists now have to compete for funding, and do not share information among themselves. □ [V n] Toddlers are notoriously antisocial when it comes to sharing toys. [Also V ]

8 VERB If you share something personal such as a thought or a piece of news with someone, you tell them about it. □ [V n + with ] It can be beneficial to share your feelings with someone you trust. □ [V n] The renowned film critic shares his thoughts on the week's new movies.

9 VERB If you share something such as a message, photograph, or link, you post it on social media so that other people can see it. □ [V n] With your phone you can take great pictures and share them instantly.

10 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If something is divided or distributed among a number of different people or things, each of them has, or is responsible for, a share of it. □ [+ of ] Sara also pays a share of the gas, electricity and phone bills. [Also + in ]

11 N‑COUNT If you have or do your share of something, you have or do an amount that seems reasonable to you, or to other people. □ [+ of ] Women must receive their fair share of training for good-paying jobs.

12 → see also lion's share , market share , power-sharing

▸ share in PHRASAL VERB If you share in something such as a success or a responsibility, you are one of a number of people who achieve or accept it. □ [V P n] The company is offering you the chance to share in its success.

▸ share out

1 PHRASAL VERB If you share out an amount of something, you give each person in a group an equal or fair part of it. □ [V n P ] I drain the pasta, then I share it out between two plates. □ [V P n] The company will share out $1.3 billion among 500,000 policyholders.

2 → see also share-out

sha re capi|tal N‑UNCOUNT A company's share capital is the money that shareholders invest in order to start or expand the business. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] The bank has a share capital of almost 100 million dollars.

share|crop|per /ʃeə ^r krɒpə ^r / (sharecroppers ) N‑COUNT A sharecropper is a farmer who pays the rent for his land with some of the crops they produce.

share|holder ◆◇◇ /ʃeə ^r hoʊldə ^r / (shareholders ) N‑COUNT A shareholder is a person who owns shares in a company. [BUSINESS ] □ …a shareholders' meeting.

share|holding /ʃeə ^r hoʊld I ŋ/ (shareholdings ) N‑COUNT If you have a shareholding in a company, you own some of its shares. [BUSINESS ]

sha re in|dex (share indices or share indexes ) N‑COUNT A share index is a number that indicates the state of a stock market. It is based on the combined share prices of a set of companies. [BUSINESS ] □ The FT 30 share index was up 16.4 points to 1,599.6.

sha re is|sue (share issues ) N‑COUNT When there is a share issue , shares in a company are made available for people to buy. [BUSINESS ]

sha re op|tion (share options ) N‑COUNT A share option is an opportunity for the employees of a company to buy shares at a special price. [BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ Only a handful of firms offer share option schemes to all their employees. in AM use stock option

sha re-out (share-outs ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If there is a share-out of something, several people are given equal or fair parts of it. □ [+ of ] …the share-out of seats in the transitional government.

sha re shop (share shops ) N‑COUNT A share shop is a shop or internet website where members of the public can buy shares in companies. [BUSINESS ]

share|ware /ʃeə ^r weə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Shareware is computer software that you can try before deciding whether or not to buy the legal right to use it. [COMPUTING ] □ …a shareware program.

sha r|ing eco no|my N‑SING The sharing economy is a system in which people offer the use of their skills or things they own, using the internet. □ The sharing economy allows people to make money from their possessions by renting them out when they aren't using them.

shark /ʃɑː ^r k/ (sharks ) The form shark can also be used as the plural form for meaning 1 . 1 N‑VAR A shark is a very large fish. Some sharks have very sharp teeth and may attack people.

2 N‑COUNT If you refer to a person as a shark , you disapprove of them because they trick people out of their money by giving bad advice about buying, selling, or investments. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Beware the sharks when you are making up your mind how to invest.

3 → see also loan shark

sharp ◆◆◇ /ʃɑː ^r p/ (sharps , sharper , sharpest )

1 ADJ A sharp point or edge is very thin and can cut through things very easily. A sharp knife, tool, or other object has a point or edge of this kind. □ The other end of the twig is sharpened into a sharp point to use as a toothpick. □ Using a sharp knife, cut away the pith and peel from both fruits.

2 ADJ You can describe a shape or an object as sharp if part of it or one end of it comes to a point or forms an angle. □ His nose was thin and sharp.

3 ADJ A sharp bend or turn is one that changes direction suddenly. □ I was approaching a fairly sharp bend that swept downhill to the left. ● ADV [ADV adv] Sharp is also an adverb. □ Do not cross the bridge but turn sharp left to go down on to the towpath. ● sharp|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Room number nine was at the far end of the corridor where it turned sharply to the right.

4 ADJ If you describe someone as sharp , you are praising them because they are quick to notice, hear, understand, or react to things. [APPROVAL ] □ He is very sharp, a quick thinker and swift with repartee.

5 ADJ If someone says something in a sharp way, they say it suddenly and rather firmly or angrily, for example because they are warning or criticizing you. □ That ruling had drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups. ● sharp|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ 'You've known,' she said sharply, 'and you didn't tell me?'

6 ADJ A sharp change, movement, or feeling occurs suddenly, and is great in amount, force, or degree. □ There's been a sharp rise in the rate of inflation. □ He felt a sharp pain in the abductor muscle in his right thigh. ● sharp|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Unemployment among the over-forties has risen sharply in recent years.

7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A sharp difference, image, or sound is very easy to see, hear, or distinguish. □ Many people make a sharp distinction between humans and other animals. □ We heard a voice sing out in a clear, sharp tone. ● sharp|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Opinions on this are sharply divided.

8 ADJ A sharp taste or smell is rather strong or bitter, but is often also clear and fresh. □ …a colourless, almost odourless liquid with a sharp, sweetish taste.

9 ADV [n ADV ] Sharp is used after stating a particular time to show that something happens at exactly the time stated. □ She planned to unlock the store at 8.00 sharp this morning.

10 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] Sharp is used after a letter representing a musical note to show that the note should be played or sung half a tone higher. Sharp is often represented by the symbol ♯. □ A solitary viola plucks a lonely, soft F sharp.

11 → see also razor-sharp

sharp|en /ʃɑː ^r pən/ (sharpens , sharpening , sharpened )

1 VERB If your senses, understanding, or skills sharpen or are sharpened , you become better at noticing things, thinking, or doing something. □ [V ] Her gaze sharpened, as if she had seen something unusual. □ [V n] You can sharpen your skills with rehearsal.

2 VERB If you sharpen an object, you make its edge very thin or you make its end pointed. □ [V n] He started to sharpen his knife. □ [V -ed] …sharpened pencils.

3 VERB If disagreements or differences between people sharpen , or if they are sharpened , they become bigger or more important. □ [V ] With urbanisation the antagonism between rich and poor sharpened. □ [V n] The case of Harris has sharpened the debate over capital punishment.

sharp|en|er /ʃɑː ^r pnə ^r / (sharpeners ) N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A sharpener is a tool or machine used for sharpening pencils or knives. □ …a pencil sharpener.

sha rp-eyed ADJ [usu ADJ n] A sharp-eyed person is good at noticing and observing things. □ A sharp-eyed shop assistant spotted the fake.

sharp|ish /ʃɑː ^r p I ʃ/ ADV [ADV after v] If you do something sharpish , you do it quickly, without any delay. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ She was asked to leave, sharpish.

sha rp pra c|tice N‑UNCOUNT You can use sharp practice to refer to an action or a way of behaving, especially in business or professional matters, that you think is clever but dishonest. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He accused some solicitors of sharp practice.

sharp|shooter /ʃɑː ^r pʃuːtə ^r / (sharpshooters ) N‑COUNT A sharpshooter is a person who can fire a gun very accurately. [AM ]

sharp to ngue (sharp tongues ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone has a sharp tongue , you are critical of the fact that they say things which are unkind though often clever. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Despite her sharp tongue, she inspires loyalty from her friends.

sha rp-to ngued ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as sharp-tongued , you are being critical of them for speaking in a way which is unkind though often clever. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Julia was a very tough, sharp-tongued woman.

shat /ʃæ t/ Shat is the past tense and past participle of shit .

shat|ter /ʃæ tə ^r / (shatters , shattering , shattered )

1 VERB If something shatters or is shattered , it breaks into a lot of small pieces. □ [V ] …safety glass that won't shatter if it's broken. □ [V + into ] The car shattered into a thousand burning pieces in a 200mph crash. □ [V n] One bullet shattered his skull. [Also V n into n] ● shat|ter|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the shattering of glass.

2 VERB If something shatters your dreams, hopes, or beliefs, it completely destroys them. □ [V n] A failure would shatter the hopes of many people. □ [V n] Something like that really shatters your confidence.

3 VERB If someone is shattered by an event, it shocks and upsets them very much. □ [be V -ed] He had been shattered by his son's death. □ [V n] …the tragedy which had shattered his life.

4 → see also shattered , shattering

shat|tered /ʃæ tə ^r d/

1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are shattered by something, you are extremely shocked and upset about it. □ It is desperately sad news and I am absolutely shattered to hear it.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say you are shattered , you mean you are extremely tired and have no energy left. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ He was shattered and too tired to concentrate on schoolwork.

shat|ter|ing /ʃæ tər I ŋ/

1 ADJ Something that is shattering shocks and upsets you very much. □ The experience of their daughter's death had been absolutely shattering.

2 → see also earth-shattering , shatter

shave /ʃe I v/ (shaves , shaving , shaved )

1 VERB When a man shaves , he removes the hair from his face using a razor or shaver so that his face is smooth. □ [V ] He took a bath and shaved before dinner. □ [V n] He had shaved his face until it was smooth. □ [V n with off ] It's a pity you shaved your moustache off. ● N‑COUNT Shave is also a noun. □ He never seemed to need a shave. ● shav|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …a range of shaving products.

2 VERB If someone shaves a part of their body, they remove the hair from it so that it is smooth. □ [V n] Many women shave their legs. □ [V n with off ] If you have long curly hair, don't shave it off.

3 VERB If you shave someone, you remove the hair from their face or another part of their body so that it is smooth. □ [V n] The doctors shaved his head. □ [V n] She had to call a barber to shave him.

4 VERB If you shave off part of a piece of wood or other material, you cut very thin pieces from it. □ [V n with off ] I set the log on the ground and shaved off the bark. □ [V n + off ] She was shaving thin slices off a courgette.

5 VERB If you shave a small amount off something such as a record, cost, or price, you reduce it by that amount. □ [V n + off/from ] She's already shaved four seconds off the national record for the mile. □ [V n] Supermarket chains have shaved prices.

6 → see also shaving

7 PHRASE If you describe a situation as a close shave , you mean that there was nearly an accident or a disaster but it was avoided. □ I can't quite believe the close shaves I've had just recently. USAGE shave

Shave is not usually a reflexive verb. Don’t say ‘ He had a bath and shaved himself ’. Say ‘He had a bath and shaved ’.

shav|en /ʃe I v ^ə n/

1 ADJ If a part of someone's body is shaven , it has been shaved. □ …a small boy with a shaven head.

2 → see also clean-shaven

shav|er /ʃe I və ^r / (shavers ) N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A shaver is an electric device, used for shaving hair from the face and body. □ …men's electric shavers.

shav|ing /ʃe I v I ŋ/ (shavings )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Shavings are small very thin pieces of wood or other material which have been cut from a larger piece. □ The floor was covered with shavings from his wood carvings. □ …metal shavings.

2 → see also shave

sha v|ing cream (shaving creams ) also shaving foam N‑VAR Shaving cream is a soft soapy substance which men put on their face before they shave. □ …a tube of shaving cream.

shawl /ʃɔː l/ (shawls ) N‑COUNT A shawl is a large piece of woollen cloth which a woman wears over her shoulders or head, or which is wrapped around a baby to keep it warm.

she ◆◆◆ /ʃi, STRONG ʃiː/ She is a third person singular pronoun. She is used as the subject of a verb. 1 PRON You use she to refer to a woman, girl, or female animal who has already been mentioned or whose identity is clear. □ When Ann arrived home that night, she found Brian in the house watching TV. □ She was seventeen and she had no education or employment.

2 PRON Some writers may use she to refer to a person who is not identified as either male or female. They do this because they wish to avoid using the pronoun 'he' all the time. Some people dislike this use and prefer to use 'he or she' or 'they'. □ The student may show signs of feeling the strain of responsibility and she may give up.

3 PRON She is sometimes used to refer to a country or nation. □ Our country needs new leadership if she is to help shape the future of the world.

4 PRON Some people use she to refer to a car or a machine. People who sail often use she to refer to a ship or boat. □ Hundreds of small boats clustered round the yacht as she sailed into Southampton docks.

s/he PRON Some writers use s/he instead of either 'he' or 'she' when they are referring to someone who might exist but who has not been identified. By using s/he , the writer does not need to say whether the person is male or female. □ Talk to your doctor and see if s/he knows of any local groups.

sheaf /ʃiː f/ (sheaves )

1 N‑COUNT A sheaf of papers is a number of them held or fastened together. □ [+ of ] He took out a sheaf of papers and leafed through them.

2 N‑COUNT A sheaf of corn or wheat is a number of corn or wheat plants that have been cut down and tied together.

shear /ʃ I ə ^r / (shears , shearing , sheared , shorn )

1 VERB To shear a sheep means to cut its wool off. □ [V n] In the Hebrides they shear their sheep later than anywhere else. ● shear|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …a display of sheep shearing.

2 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] A pair of shears is a garden tool like a very large pair of scissors. Shears are used especially for cutting hedges. □ Trim the shrubs with shears.

sheath /ʃiː θ/ (sheaths )

1 N‑COUNT A sheath is a covering for the blade of a knife.

2 N‑COUNT A sheath is a rubber covering for a man's penis and is used during sex as a contraceptive or as a protection against disease. [BRIT ]

sheathe /ʃiː ð/ (sheathes , sheathing , sheathed )

1 VERB [usu passive] If something is sheathed in a material or other covering, it is closely covered with it. [LITERARY ] □ [be V -ed + in ] The television was sheathed in a snug coverlet. □ [V -ed] …her long legs, sheathed in sheer black tights.

2 VERB When someone sheathes a knife, they put it in its sheath. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] He sheathed the knife and strapped it to his shin.

sheaves /ʃiː vz/ Sheaves is the plural of sheaf .

she|bang /ʃ I bæ ŋ/ PHRASE The whole shebang is the whole situation or business that you are describing. [INFORMAL ]

shed ◆◇◇ /ʃe d/ (sheds , shedding ) The form shed is used in the present tense and in the past tense and past participle of the verb. 1 N‑COUNT A shed is a small building that is used for storing things such as garden tools. □ …a garden shed.

2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A shed is a large shelter or building, for example at a railway station, port, or factory. □ …disused railway sheds.

3 VERB When a tree sheds its leaves, its leaves fall off in the autumn. When an animal sheds hair or skin, some of its hair or skin drops off. □ [V n] Some of the trees were already beginning to shed their leaves.

4 VERB To shed something means to get rid of it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The firm is to shed 700 jobs.

5 VERB If a lorry sheds its load, the goods that it is carrying accidentally fall onto the road. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] A lorry piled with scrap metal had shed its load.

6 VERB If you shed tears, you cry. □ [V n] They will shed a few tears at their daughter's wedding.

7 VERB To shed blood means to kill people in a violent way. If someone sheds their blood, they are killed in a violent way, usually when they are fighting in a war. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They bear responsibility for shedding the blood of innocent civilians.

8 to shed light on something → see light ➊

she'd /ʃiːd, ʃ I d/

1 She'd is the usual spoken form of 'she had', especially when 'had' is an auxiliary verb. □ She'd rung up to discuss the party.

2 She'd is a spoken form of 'she would'. □ She'd do anything for a bit of money.

sheen /ʃiː n/ N‑SING [oft adj N ] If something has a sheen , it has a smooth and gentle brightness on its surface. □ The carpet had a silvery sheen to it.

sheep /ʃiː p/ (sheep )

1 N‑COUNT A sheep is a farm animal which is covered with thick curly hair called wool. Sheep are kept for their wool or for their meat. □ …grassland on which a flock of sheep were grazing.

2 N‑PLURAL [usu like N ] If you say that a group of people are like sheep , you disapprove of them because if one person does something, all the others copy that person. [DISAPPROVAL ]

3 → see also black sheep

sheep|dog /ʃiː pdɒg/ (sheepdogs ) N‑COUNT A sheepdog is a breed of dog. Some sheepdogs are used for controlling sheep.

sheep|ish /ʃiː p I ʃ/ ADJ If you look sheepish , you look slightly embarrassed because you feel foolish or you have done something silly. □ The couple leapt apart when she walked in on them and later came downstairs looking sheepish.

sheep|skin /ʃiː psk I n/ (sheepskins ) N‑VAR [oft N n] Sheepskin is the skin of a sheep with the wool still attached to it, used especially for making coats and rugs. □ …a sheepskin coat.

sheer /ʃ I ə ^r / (sheerer , sheerest )

1 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use sheer to emphasize that a state or situation is complete and does not involve or is not mixed with anything else. [EMPHASIS ] □ His music is sheer delight. □ Sheer chance quite often plays an important part in sparking off an idea.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A sheer cliff or drop is extremely steep or completely vertical. □ There was a sheer drop just outside my window.

3 ADJ Sheer material is very thin, light, and delicate. □ …sheer black tights.

sheet ◆◇◇ /ʃiː t/ (sheets )

1 N‑COUNT A sheet is a large rectangular piece of cotton or other cloth that you sleep on or cover yourself with in a bed. □ Once a week, a maid changes the sheets.

2 N‑COUNT A sheet of paper is a rectangular piece of paper. □ [+ of ] …a sheet of newspaper. □ I was able to fit it all on one sheet.

3 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] You can use sheet to refer to a piece of paper which gives information about something. □ [+ on ] …information sheets on each country in the world.

4 N‑COUNT A sheet of glass, metal, or wood is a large, flat, thin piece of it. □ [+ of ] …a cracked sheet of glass. □ [+ of ] Overhead, cranes were lifting giant sheets of steel.

5 N‑COUNT A sheet of something is a thin wide layer of it over the surface of something else. □ [+ of ] …a sheet of ice. □ [+ of ] …a blue-grey sheet of dust.

6 → see also balance sheet , broadsheet , dust sheet , fact sheet , groundsheet , news-sheet , scoresheet , spreadsheet , worksheet

7 as white as a sheet → see white

sheet|ing /ʃiː t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft n N ] Sheeting is metal, plastic, or other material that is made in the form of sheets. □ They put plastic sheeting on the insides of our windows.

shee t met|al N‑UNCOUNT Sheet metal is metal which has been made into thin sheets.

shee t mu|sic N‑UNCOUNT Sheet music is music that is printed on sheets of paper without a hard cover. □ We were forbidden to bring sheet music, so I played from memory.

sheikh /ʃe I k, [AM ] ʃiː k/ (sheikhs ) N‑TITLE ; N‑COUNT A sheikh is a male Arab chief or ruler. □ …Sheikh Khalifa. □ …the sheik's role in global oil affairs.

sheikh|dom /ʃe I kdəm, [AM ] ʃiː k-/ (sheikhdoms ) also sheikdom N‑COUNT A sheikhdom is a country or region that is ruled by a sheikh.

shelf /ʃe lf/ (shelves )

1 N‑COUNT A shelf is a flat piece of wood, metal, or glass which is attached to a wall or to the sides of a cupboard. Shelves are used for keeping things on. □ He took a book from the shelf. □ …the middle shelf of the oven.

2 N‑COUNT A shelf is a section of rock on a cliff or mountain or underwater that sticks out like a shelf. □ [+ of ] The house stands on a shelf of rock among pines.

3 → see also continental shelf

4 PHRASE If you buy something off the shelf , you buy something that is not specially made for you. [BRIT ] □ …off-the-shelf software.

she lf life (shelf lives ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The shelf life of a product, especially food, is the length of time that it can be kept in a shop or at home before it becomes too old to sell or use. □ Mature flour has a longer shelf life.

shell ◆◇◇ /ʃe l/ (shells , shelling , shelled )

1 N‑COUNT The shell of a nut or egg is the hard covering which surrounds it. □ They cracked the nuts and removed their shells. ● N‑UNCOUNT Shell is the substance that a shell is made of. □ …beads made from ostrich egg shell.

2 N‑COUNT The shell of an animal such as a tortoise, snail, or crab is the hard protective covering that it has around its body or on its back.

3 N‑COUNT Shells are hard objects found on beaches. They are usually pink, white, or brown and are the coverings which used to surround small sea creatures. □ I collect shells and interesting seaside items. □ …sea shells.

4 VERB If you shell nuts, peas, prawns, or other food, you remove their natural outer covering. □ [V n] She shelled and ate a few nuts. □ [V -ed] …shelled prawns.

5 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] If someone comes out of their shell , they become more friendly and interested in other people and less quiet, shy, and reserved. □ Her normally shy son had come out of his shell.

6 N‑COUNT The shell of a building, boat, car, or other structure is the outside frame of it. □ [+ of ] …the shells of burned buildings.

7 N‑COUNT A shell is a weapon consisting of a metal container filled with explosives that can be fired from a large gun over long distances.

8 VERB To shell a place means to fire explosive shells at it. □ [V n] The rebels shelled the densely-populated suburbs near the port. ● shell|ing (shellings ) N‑VAR □ Out on the streets, the shelling continued.

▸ shell out PHRASAL VERB If you shell out for something, you spend a lot of money on it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n + for/on ] You won't have to shell out a fortune for it. □ [V P + for/on ] …an insurance premium which saves you from having to shell out for repairs. [Also V P to-inf]

she'll /ʃiːl, ʃ I l/ She'll is the usual spoken form of 'she will'. □ Sharon was a wonderful lady and I know she'll be greatly missed.

shel|lac /ʃəlæ k/ N‑UNCOUNT Shellac is a kind of natural varnish which you paint on to wood to give it a shiny surface.

she ll com|pa|ny (shell companies ) N‑COUNT A shell company is a company that another company takes over in order to use its name to gain an advantage. [BUSINESS ]

shell|fire /ʃe lfa I ə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Shellfire is the firing of large military guns. □ The radio said other parts of the capital also came under shellfire.

shell|fish /ʃe lf I ʃ/ (shellfish ) N‑VAR [usu pl] Shellfish are small creatures that live in the sea and have a shell. □ Fish and shellfish are the specialities.

she ll pro|gram (shell programs ) N‑COUNT A shell program is a basic computer program that provides a framework within which the user can develop the program to suit their own needs. [COMPUTING ]

she ll shock also shell-shock N‑UNCOUNT Shell shock is the confused or nervous mental condition of people who have been under fire in a war. □ The men were suffering from shell shock.

she ll-shocked also shell shocked

1 ADJ If you say that someone is shell-shocked , you mean that they are very shocked, usually because something bad has happened. [INFORMAL ] □ We were shell-shocked when Chelsea took the lead. □ …shell-shocked investors.

2 ADJ If someone is shell-shocked , they have a confused or nervous mental condition as a result of a shocking experience such as being in a war or an accident. □ …a shell-shocked war veteran.

she ll suit (shell suits ) also shell-suit N‑COUNT A shell suit is a casual suit which is made of thin nylon. □ …someone in a shell suit from Stirchley.

shel|ter ◆◇◇ /ʃe ltə ^r / (shelters , sheltering , sheltered )

1 N‑COUNT A shelter is a small building or covered place which is made to protect people from bad weather or danger. □ The city's bomb shelters were being prepared for possible air raids. □ …a bus shelter.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If a place provides shelter , it provides you with a place to stay or live, especially when you need protection from bad weather or danger. □ The number of families seeking shelter rose by 17 percent. □ …the hut where they were given food and shelter.

3 N‑COUNT A shelter is a building where homeless people can sleep and get food. □ [+ for ] …a shelter for homeless women.

4 VERB If you shelter in a place, you stay there and are protected from bad weather or danger. □ [V prep/adv] …a man sheltering in a doorway.

5 VERB [usu passive] If a place or thing is sheltered by something, it is protected by that thing from wind and rain. □ [V -ed] …a wooden house, sheltered by a low pointed roof.

6 VERB If you shelter someone, usually someone who is being hunted by police or other people, you provide them with a place to stay or live. □ [V n] A neighbor sheltered the boy for seven days.

7 → see also sheltered

shel|tered /ʃe ltə ^r d/

1 ADJ A sheltered place is protected from wind and rain. □ …a shallow-sloping beach next to a sheltered bay.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has led a sheltered life, you mean that they have been protected from difficult or unpleasant experiences. □ Perhaps I've just led a really sheltered life.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Sheltered accommodation or work is designed people who are old or who have a disability. It allows them to be independent but also allows them to get help when they need it. □ For the last few years I have been living in sheltered accommodation.

4 → see also shelter

shelve /ʃe lv/ (shelves , shelving , shelved )

1 VERB If someone shelves a plan or project, they decide not to continue with it, either for a while or permanently. □ [V n] Atlanta has shelved plans to include golf in the 1996 Games. □ [be V -ed] Sadly, the project has now been shelved.

2 VERB If an area of ground next to or under the sea shelves , it slopes downwards. □ [V adv/prep] The shoreline shelves away steeply. □ [V -ing] …a gently shelving beach.

3 Shelves is the plural of shelf .

shelv|ing /ʃe lv I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Shelving is a set of shelves, or material which is used for making shelves. □ …the shelving on the long, windowless wall.

she|nani|gans /ʃ I næ n I gənz/ N‑PLURAL You can use shenanigans to refer to rather dishonest or immoral behaviour, especially when you think it is amusing or interesting. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the private shenanigans of public figures.

shep|herd /ʃe pə ^r d/ (shepherds , shepherding , shepherded )

1 N‑COUNT A shepherd is a person, especially a man, whose job is to look after sheep.

2 VERB [usu passive] If you are shepherded somewhere, someone takes you there to make sure that you arrive at the right place safely. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] She was shepherded by her guards up the rear ramp of the aircraft.

shep|herd|ess /ʃe pə ^r des/ (shepherdesses ) N‑COUNT A shepherdess is a woman whose job is to look after sheep.

she p|herd's pie (shepherd's pies ) N‑VAR Shepherd's pie is a dish consisting of minced meat, usually lamb, covered with a layer of mashed potato. [BRIT ]

sher|bet /ʃɜː ^r bət/ (sherbets )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Sherbet is a sweet dry powder that tastes fizzy and is eaten as a sweet. [BRIT ] □ …sherbet dips.

2 N‑VAR Sherbet is like ice cream but made with fruit juice, sugar, and water. [AM ] □ …lemon sherbet. in BRIT, use sorbet

sher|iff /ʃe r I f/ (sheriffs )

1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In the United States, a sheriff is a person who is elected to make sure that the law is obeyed in a particular county. □ …the local sheriff.

2 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In Scotland, a sheriff is a legal officer whose chief duty is to act as judge in a Sheriff Court. These courts deal with all but the most serious crimes and with most civil actions. □ …the presiding judge, Sheriff John Mowatt.

3 N‑COUNT In England and Wales, the Sheriff of a city or county is a person who is elected or appointed to carry out mainly ceremonial duties. □ [+ of ] …the Sheriff of Oxford.

sher|ry /ʃe ri/ (sherries ) N‑VAR Sherry is a type of strong wine that is made in south-western Spain. It is usually drunk before a meal. □ I poured us a glass of sherry. □ …some of the world's finest sherries. ● N‑COUNT A glass of sherry can be referred to as a sherry . □ I'll have a sherry please.

she's /ʃiːz, ʃ I z/

1 She's is the usual spoken form of 'she is'. □ She's an exceptionally good cook. □ She's having a baby in October.

2 She's is a spoken form of 'she has', especially when 'has' is an auxiliary verb. □ She's been married for seven years and has two daughters.

shh /ʃ/ → see sh

shi|at|su /ʃiːæ tsuː/ N‑UNCOUNT Shiatsu is a form of massage that is used to cure illness and reduce pain.

shib|bo|leth /ʃ I bəleθ/ (shibboleths ) N‑COUNT If you describe an idea or belief as a shibboleth , you mean that it is thought important by a group of people but may be old-fashioned or wrong. [FORMAL ] □ It is time to go beyond the shibboleth that conventional forces cannot deter.

shield /ʃiː ld/ (shields , shielding , shielded )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Something or someone which is a shield against a particular danger or risk provides protection from it. □ He used his left hand as a shield against the reflecting sunlight.

2 VERB If something or someone shields you from a danger or risk, they protect you from it. □ [V n + from ] He shielded his head from the sun with an old sack.

3 VERB If you shield your eyes, you put your hand above your eyes to protect them from direct sunlight. □ [V n] He squinted and shielded his eyes.

4 N‑COUNT A shield is a large piece of metal or leather which soldiers used to carry to protect their bodies while they were fighting.

5 N‑COUNT A shield is a sports prize or badge that is shaped like a shield.

shift ◆◇◇ /ʃ I ft/ (shifts , shifting , shifted )

1 VERB If you shift something or if it shifts , it moves slightly. □ [V n prep/adv] He stopped, shifting his cane to his left hand. □ [V prep/adv] He shifted from foot to foot. □ [V ] The entire pile shifted and slid, thumping onto the floor. □ [V n] …the squeak of his boots in the snow as he shifted his weight.

2 VERB If someone's opinion, a situation, or a policy shifts or is shifted , it changes slightly. □ [V ] Attitudes to mental illness have shifted in recent years. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] The emphasis should be shifted more towards Parliament. [Also V adv] ● N‑COUNT Shift is also a noun. □ [+ in ] …a shift in government policy.

3 VERB If someone shifts the responsibility or blame for something onto you, they unfairly make you responsible or make people blame you for it, instead of them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n prep] It was a vain attempt to shift the responsibility for the murder to somebody else.

4 VERB If a shop or company shifts goods, they sell goods that are difficult to sell. [BRIT ] □ [V n] Some suppliers were selling at a loss to shift stock.

5 VERB If you shift gears in a car, you put the car into a different gear. [AM ] in BRIT, use change 6 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] If a group of factory workers, nurses, or other people work shifts , they work for a set period before being replaced by another group, so that there is always a group working. Each of these set periods is called a shift . You can also use shift to refer to a group of workers who work together on a particular shift. □ His father worked shifts in a steel mill.

7 → see also shifting

▸ shift down PHRASAL VERB When you shift down , you move the gear lever in the vehicle you are driving in order to use a lower gear. [AM ] in BRIT, use change down

▸ shift up PHRASAL VERB When you shift up , you move the gear lever in the vehicle you are driving in order to use a higher gear. [AM ] in BRIT, use change up SYNONYMS shift VERB

1

move: She moved the sheaf of papers into position.

budge: The window refused to budge.

2

change: In the union office, the mood gradually changed from resignation to rage.

alter: They have never altered their programmes by a single day.

revise: He soon came to revise his opinion of the profession.

shift|ing /ʃ I ft I ŋ/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] Shifting is used to describe something which is made up of parts that are continuously moving and changing position in relation to other parts. □ The Croatian town of Ilok is a classic case of shifting populations.

2 → see also shift

shift|less /ʃ I ftləs/ ADJ If you describe someone as shiftless , you mean that they are lazy and have no desire to achieve anything. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the lives of two shiftless, violent ex-convicts in 1950s America.

shifty /ʃ I fti/ ADJ Someone who looks shifty gives the impression of being dishonest. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He had a shifty face and previous convictions.

shih-tzu /ʃ I tsuː / (shih-tzus ) also Shih Tzu N‑COUNT A shih-tzu is a breed of small dog with short legs and long silky hair.

shil|ling /ʃ I l I ŋ/ (shillings ) N‑COUNT A shilling was a unit of money that was used in Britain until 1971 which was the equivalent of 5p. There were twenty shillings in a pound.

shilly-shally /ʃ I li ʃæ li/ (shilly-shallies , shilly-shallying , shilly-shallied ) VERB [usu cont] If you say that someone is shilly-shallying , you disapprove of the fact that they are hesitating when they should make a decision. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] It's time for Brooke to stop shilly-shallying.

shim|mer /ʃ I mə ^r / (shimmers , shimmering , shimmered ) VERB If something shimmers , it shines with a faint, unsteady light or has an unclear, unsteady appearance. □ [V ] The lights shimmered on the water. ● N‑SING Shimmer is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …a shimmer of starlight.

shim|my /ʃ I mi/ (shimmies , shimmying , shimmied ) VERB If you shimmy , you dance or move in a way that involves shaking your hips and shoulders from side to side. □ [V ] Dancers shimmied in the streets of New Orleans.

shin /ʃ I n/ (shins ) N‑COUNT Your shins are the front parts of your legs between your knees and your ankles. □ She punched him on the nose and kicked him in the shins.

shin|dig /ʃ I nd I g/ (shindigs ) N‑COUNT A shindig is a large, noisy, enjoyable party. [INFORMAL ]

shine /ʃa I n/ (shines , shining , shined , shone )

1 VERB When the sun or a light shines , it gives out bright light. □ [V ] It is a mild morning and the sun is shining. □ [V ] A few scattered lights shone on the horizon.

2 VERB If you shine a torch or other light somewhere, you point it there, so that you can see something when it is dark. □ [V n prep] One of the men shone a torch in his face. □ [V n] The man walked slowly towards her, shining the flashlight.

3 VERB Something that shines is very bright and clear because it is reflecting light. □ [V ] Her blue eyes shone and caught the light. □ [V -ing] …shining aluminum machines.

4 N‑SING Something that has a shine is bright and clear because it is reflecting light. □ This gel gives a beautiful shine to the hair.

5 VERB If you shine a wooden, leather, or metal object, you make it bright by rubbing or polishing it. □ [V n] Let him dust and shine the furniture.

6 VERB Someone who shines at a skill or activity does it extremely well. □ [V ] Did you shine at school?

7 → see also shining

8 PHRASE If you say that someone has taken a shine to another person, you mean that he or she liked them very much at their first meeting. [INFORMAL ] □ Seems to me you've taken quite a shine to Miss Richmond.

9 rain or shine → see rain

shin|gle /ʃ I ŋg ^ə l/ (shingles )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Shingle is a mass of small rough pieces of stone on the shore of a sea or a river. □ …a beach of sand and shingle.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Shingles is a disease in which painful red spots spread in bands over a person's body, especially around their waist.

shin|ing /ʃa I n I ŋ/

1 ADJ A shining achievement or quality is a very good one which should be greatly admired. □ She is a shining example to us all.

2 → see also shine

shi n pa d (shin pads ) or shi n gua rd (shin guards ) N‑COUNT A shin pad is a thick piece of material that you wear inside your socks to protect the lower part of your leg when you are playing a game such as football or rugby.

Shin|to /ʃ I ntoʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan.

shiny /ʃa I ni/ (shinier , shiniest ) ADJ Shiny things are bright and reflect light. □ Her blonde hair was shiny and clean. □ …a shiny new sports car.

ship ◆◆◇ /ʃ I p/ (ships , shipping , shipped )

1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A ship is a large boat which carries passengers or cargo. □ Within ninety minutes the ship was ready for departure. □ We went by ship over to America. □ …merchant ships.

2 VERB [usu passive] If people or things are shipped somewhere, they are sent there on a ship or by some other means of transport. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] The siblings were shipped to a local orphanage.

3 → see also shipping

▸ ship out PHRASAL VERB If someone ships out , they leave a place, especially by ship. □ [V P ] Sailors hung about while they waited to ship out.

ship|board /ʃ I pbɔː ^r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] Shipboard means taking place on a ship. □ …a shipboard romance.

ship|builder /ʃ I pb I ldə ^r / (shipbuilders ) N‑COUNT A shipbuilder is a company or a person that builds ships.

ship|building /ʃ I pb I ld I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Shipbuilding is the industry of building ships.

ship|load /ʃ I ploʊd/ (shiploads ) N‑COUNT A shipload of people or goods is as many people or goods as a ship can carry. □ [+ of ] …a shipload of refugees.

ship|mate /ʃ I pme I t/ (shipmates ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Sailors who work together on the same ship are shipmates . □ His shipmates stayed at their stations.

ship|ment /ʃ I pmənt/ (shipments )

1 N‑COUNT [usu N n] A shipment is an amount of a particular kind of cargo that is sent to another country on a ship, train, aeroplane, or other vehicle. □ Food shipments could begin in a matter of weeks. □ [+ of ] …a shipment of weapons.

2 N‑UNCOUNT The shipment of a cargo somewhere is the sending of it there by ship, train, aeroplane, or some other vehicle. □ Bananas are packed before being transported to the docks for shipment overseas.

ship|owner /ʃ I poʊnə ^r / (shipowners ) N‑COUNT A shipowner is someone who owns a ship or ships or who has shares in a shipping company.

ship|per /ʃ I pə ^r / (shippers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Shippers are people or companies who ship cargo as a business.

ship|ping /ʃ I p I ŋ/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Shipping is the transport of cargo as a business, especially on ships. □ …the international shipping industry. □ The Greeks are still powerful players in world shipping.

2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the amount of money that you pay to a company to transport cargo as shipping . □ It is $39.95 plus $3 shipping.

3 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to ships as shipping when considering them as a group. □ They sent naval forces to protect merchant shipping.

ship|shape /ʃ I pʃe I p/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is shipshape , it looks tidy, neat, and in good condition. □ The house only needs an occasional coat of paint to keep it shipshape.

ship|wreck /ʃ I prek/ (shipwrecks , shipwrecked )

1 N‑VAR If there is a shipwreck , a ship is destroyed in an accident at sea. □ He was drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Spain.

2 N‑COUNT A shipwreck is a ship which has been destroyed in an accident at sea.

3 V-PASSIVE If someone is shipwrecked , their ship is destroyed in an accident at sea but they survive and manage to reach land. □ [be V -ed] He was shipwrecked after visiting the island.

ship|wright /ʃ I pra I t/ (shipwrights ) N‑COUNT A shipwright is a person who builds or repairs ships as a job.

ship|yard /ʃ I pjɑː ^r d/ (shipyards ) N‑COUNT A shipyard is a place where ships are built and repaired.

shire /ʃa I ə ^r / (shires )

1 N‑COUNT The Shires or the shire counties are the counties of England that have a lot of countryside and farms. □ Smart country people are fleeing back to the shires.

2 N‑COUNT A shire or shire horse is a large heavy horse used for pulling loads. [BRIT ]

shirk /ʃɜː ^r k/ (shirks , shirking , shirked ) VERB [usu with neg] If someone does not shirk their responsibility or duty, they do what they have a responsibility to do. □ [V n] We in the Congress can't shirk our responsibility. □ [V + from ] The Government will not shirk from considering the need for further action. [Also V ]

shirt ◆◇◇ /ʃɜː ^r t/ (shirts )

1 N‑COUNT A shirt is a piece of clothing that you wear on the upper part of your body. Shirts have a collar, sleeves, and buttons down the front.

2 → see also dress shirt , stuffed shirt , sweatshirt , T-shirt

-shirted /-ʃɜː ^r t I d/ COMB -shirted is used to form adjectives which indicate what colour or type of shirt someone is wearing. □ …white-shirted men.

shirt|sleeve /ʃɜː ^r tsliːv/ (shirtsleeves ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Shirtsleeves are the sleeves of a shirt. If a man is in shirtsleeves or in his shirtsleeves , he is wearing a shirt but not a jacket. □ He rolled up his shirtsleeves.

shi rt-tail (shirt-tails ) also shirttail N‑COUNT Shirt-tails are the long parts of a shirt below the waist. □ He wore sandals and old jeans and his shirt-tails weren't tucked in.

shirty /ʃɜː ^r ti/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone gets shirty , they behave in a bad-tempered and rude way because they are annoyed about something. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [+ with ] He got quite shirty with me.

shit /ʃ I t/ (shits , shitting , shat )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Some people use shit to refer to solid waste matter from the body of a human being or animal. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]

2 VERB To shit means to get rid of solid waste matter from the body. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]

3 N‑SING To have a shit means to get rid of solid waste matter from the body. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]

4 N‑PLURAL If someone has the shits , liquid waste matter keeps coming out of their body because they are ill or afraid. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]

5 N‑UNCOUNT People sometimes refer to things that they do not like as shit . [INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ This is a load of shit.

6 N‑COUNT People sometimes insult someone they do not like by referring to them as a shit . [INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ]

7 EXCLAM Shit is used to express anger, impatience, or disgust. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]

8 PHRASE To beat or kick the shit out of someone means to beat or kick them so violently that they are badly injured. [INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ]

9 PHRASE If someone says that the shit hit the fan , they mean that there was suddenly a lot of trouble or angry arguments. [INFORMAL , RUDE ]

10 PHRASE If someone says that they do not give a shit about something, they mean that they do not care about it at all. [INFORMAL , RUDE , FEELINGS ]

shite /ʃa I t/ ADJ If someone describes something as shite , they do not like it or think that it is very poor quality. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ]

shit|less /ʃ I tləs/ ADV [adj ADV ] If someone says that they are scared shitless or bored shitless , they are emphasizing that they are extremely scared or bored. [INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ]

shit|ty /ʃ I ti/ (shittier , shittiest ) ADJ If someone describes something as shitty , they do not like it or think that it is of poor quality. [INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ]

shiv|er /ʃ I və ^r / (shivers , shivering , shivered ) VERB When you shiver , your body shakes slightly because you are cold or frightened. □ [V ] He shivered in the cold. □ [V + with ] I was sitting on the floor shivering with fear. ● N‑COUNT Shiver is also a noun. □ The emptiness here sent shivers down my spine.

shiv|ery /ʃ I vəri/ ADJ If you are shivery , you cannot stop shivering because you feel cold, frightened, or ill. □ She felt shivery and a little sick.

shoal /ʃoʊ l/ (shoals ) N‑COUNT A shoal of fish is a large group of them swimming together. □ [+ of ] Among them swam shoals of fish. □ …tuna shoals.

shock ◆◆◇ /ʃɒ k/ (shocks , shocking , shocked )

1 N‑COUNT If you have a shock , something suddenly happens which is unpleasant, upsetting, or very surprising. □ The extent of the violence came as a shock. □ [+ of ] He has never recovered from the shock of your brother's death.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Shock is a person's emotional and physical condition when something very frightening or upsetting has happened to them. □ She's still in a state of shock.

3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] If someone is in shock , they are suffering from a serious physical condition in which their blood is not flowing round their body properly, for example because they have had a bad injury. □ They escaped the blaze but were rushed to hospital suffering from shock.

4 VERB If something shocks you, it makes you feel very upset, because it involves death or suffering and because you had not expected it. □ [V n] After forty years in the police force nothing much shocks me. ● shocked ADJ □ This was a nasty attack and the woman is still very shocked.

5 VERB If someone or something shocks you, it upsets or offends you because you think it is rude or morally wrong. □ [V n] You can't shock me. □ [be V -ed] They were easily shocked in those days. □ [V ] We were always trying to be creative and to shock. ● shocked ADJ □ Don't look so shocked.

6 ADJ [ADJ n] A shock announcement or event is one which shocks people because it is unexpected. [JOURNALISM ] □ …the shock announcement that she is to resign. □ …a shock defeat.

7 N‑VAR A shock is the force of something suddenly hitting or pulling something else. □ Steel barriers can bend and absorb the shock.

8 N‑COUNT A shock is the same as an electric shock .

9 N‑COUNT A shock of hair is a very thick mass of hair on a person's head. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] …a very old priest with a shock of white hair.

10 → see also shocking , culture shock , electric shock , shell shock COLLOCATIONS shock NOUN 1

adjective + shock : complete, nasty, sudden, terrible

verb + shock : spring; receive, suffer

sho ck ab|sorb|er (shock absorbers ) also shock-absorber N‑COUNT A shock absorber is a device fitted near the wheels of a car or other vehicle to reduce the effects of travelling over uneven ground. □ …a pair of rear shock absorbers.

shock|er /ʃɒ kə ^r / (shockers ) N‑COUNT A shocker is something such as a story, a piece of news, or a film that shocks people or that is intended to shock them. [INFORMAL ] □ The hospital which let a patient starve to death and left an elderly woman unwashed for 11 weeks is a shocker.

sho ck ho r|ror

1 ADJ [ADJ n] A shock horror story is presented in a way that is intended to cause great shock or anger. [INFORMAL ] □ The media is full of shock-horror headlines about under-age crime.

2 EXCLAM You can say shock horror! in reaction to something that other people may find shocking or surprising, to indicate that you do not find it shocking or surprising at all. [HUMOROUS , INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ I felt intellectually superior despite–shock horror–my lack of qualifications.

shock|ing /ʃɒ k I ŋ/

1 ADJ You can say that something is shocking if you think that it is very bad. [INFORMAL ] □ The media coverage was shocking. ● shock|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ His memory was becoming shockingly bad.

2 ADJ You can say that something is shocking if you think that it is morally wrong. □ It is shocking that nothing was said. ● shock|ing|ly ADV □ Shockingly, this useless and dangerous surgery did not end until the 1930s.

3 → see also shock

sho ck|ing pi nk COLOUR Something that is shocking pink is very bright pink. □ …a shocking-pink T-shirt.

sho ck jo ck (shock jocks ) N‑COUNT A shock jock is a radio disc jockey who deliberately uses language or expresses opinions that many people find offensive. [INFORMAL ]

sho ck tac|tic (shock tactics ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Shock tactics are a way of trying to influence people's attitudes to a particular matter by shocking them. □ We must use shock tactics if we are to stop Aids becoming another accepted modern disease.

sho ck thera|py

1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the use of extreme policies or actions to solve a particular problem quickly as shock therapy . □ …Prague's policy of economic shock therapy.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Shock therapy is a way of treating mentally ill patients by passing an electric current through their brain.

sho ck treat|ment N‑UNCOUNT Shock treatment is the same as shock therapy .

sho ck troops N‑PLURAL Shock troops are soldiers who are specially trained to carry out a quick attack.

sho ck wave (shock waves ) also shockwave

1 N‑COUNT A shock wave is an area of very high pressure moving through the air, earth, or water. It is caused by an explosion or an earthquake, or by an object travelling faster than sound. □ The shock waves yesterday were felt from Las Vegas to San Diego.

2 N‑COUNT A shock wave is the effect of something surprising, such as a piece of unpleasant news, that causes strong reactions when it spreads through a place. □ The crime sent shock waves throughout the country.

shod /ʃɒ d/

1 ADJ [adv ADJ ] You can use shod when you are describing the kind of shoes that a person is wearing. [FORMAL ] □ [+ in/with ] He has demonstrated a strong preference for being shod in running shoes.

2 Shod is the past participle of shoe .

shod|dy /ʃɒ di/ (shoddier , shoddiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] Shoddy work or a shoddy product has been done or made carelessly or badly. □ I'm normally quick to complain about shoddy service. ● shod|di|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ These products are shoddily produced.

shoe ◆◇◇ /ʃuː / (shoes )

1 N‑COUNT Shoes are objects which you wear on your feet. They cover most of your foot and you wear them over socks or stockings. □ …a pair of shoes. □ You don't mind if I take my shoes off, do you?

2 → see also snowshoe , training shoe

3 N‑COUNT A shoe is the same as a horseshoe .

4 VERB When a blacksmith shoes a horse, they fix horseshoes onto its feet. □ [V n] Blacksmiths spent most of their time repairing tools and shoeing horses.

5 → see also shod

6 PHRASE If you fill someone's shoes or step into their shoes , you take their place by doing the job they were doing. □ No one has been able to fill his shoes.

7 PHRASE If you talk about being in someone's shoes , you talk about what you would do or how you would feel if you were in their situation. □ I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

shoe|horn /ʃuː hɔː ^r n/ (shoehorns , shoehorning , shoehorned )

1 N‑COUNT A shoehorn is a piece of metal or plastic with a slight curve that you put in the back of your shoe so that your heel will go into the shoe easily.

2 VERB If you shoehorn something into a tight place, you manage to get it in there even though it is difficult. □ [be V -ed + into ] Their cars are shoehorned into tiny spaces. □ [V n + into ] I was shoehorning myself into my skin-tight ball gown.

shoe|lace /ʃuː le I s/ (shoelaces ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Shoelaces are long, narrow pieces of material like pieces of string that you use to fasten your shoes. [BRIT ] □ He began to tie his shoelaces. in AM, use shoestrings

shoe|maker /ʃuː me I kə ^r / (shoemakers ) N‑COUNT A shoemaker is a person whose job is making shoes and boots.

shoe|string /ʃuː str I ŋ/ (shoestrings )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Shoestrings are long, narrow pieces of material like pieces of string that you use to fasten your shoes. [AM ] in BRIT, use shoelaces 2 ADJ [ADJ n] A shoestring budget is one where you have very little money to spend. □ The British-produced film was made on a shoestring budget.

3 PHRASE If you do something or make something on a shoestring , you do it using very little money. □ The theatre will be run on a shoestring.

shone /ʃɒ n, [AM ] ʃoʊ n/ Shone is the past tense and past participle of shine .

shoo /ʃuː / (shoos , shooing , shooed )

1 VERB If you shoo an animal or a person away , you make them go away by waving your hands or arms at them. □ [V n with adv] You'd better shoo him away. □ [V n prep] I shooed him out of the room.

2 EXCLAM You say ' shoo! ' to an animal when you want it to go away. □ Shoo, bird, shoo.

shoo -in (shoo-ins ) N‑COUNT A shoo-in is a person or thing that seems sure to succeed. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ Ms Brown is still no shoo-in for the November election.

shook /ʃʊ k/ Shook is the past tense of shake .

shoot ◆◆◇ /ʃuː t/ (shoots , shooting , shot )

1 VERB If someone shoots a person or an animal, they kill them or injure them by firing a bullet or arrow at them. □ [V n] The police had orders to shoot anyone who attacked them. □ [be V -ed with adj] The man was shot dead by the police during a raid on his house. □ [V n + in ] Her father shot himself in the head with a shotgun.

2 VERB To shoot means to fire a bullet from a weapon such as a gun. □ [V ] He taunted armed officers by pointing to his head, as if inviting them to shoot. □ [V + at ] The police came around the corner and they started shooting at us. □ [V adv/prep] She had never been able to shoot straight.

3 VERB If someone or something shoots in a particular direction, they move in that direction quickly and suddenly. □ [V adv/prep] They had almost reached the boat when a figure shot past them.

4 VERB If you shoot something somewhere or if it shoots somewhere, it moves there quickly and suddenly. □ [V n prep/adv] Masters shot a hand across the table and gripped his wrist. □ [V adv/prep] You'd turn on the water, and it would shoot straight up in the air.

5 VERB If you shoot a look at someone, you look at them quickly and briefly, often in a way that expresses your feelings. □ [V n n] Mary Ann shot him a rueful look. □ [V n + at ] The man in the black overcoat shot a penetrating look at the other man.

6 VERB If someone shoots to fame, they become famous or successful very quickly. □ [V + to ] She shot to fame a few years ago with her extraordinary first novel.

7 VERB When people shoot a film or shoot photographs, they make a film or take photographs using a camera. □ [V n] He'd love to shoot his film in Cuba. ● N‑COUNT Shoot is also a noun. □ …a barn presently being used for a video shoot.

8 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Shoots are plants that are beginning to grow, or new parts growing from a plant or tree.

9 VERB In sports such as football or basketball, when someone shoots , they try to score by kicking, throwing, or hitting the ball towards the goal. □ [V adv/prep] Spencer scuttled away from Young to shoot wide when he should have scored. [Also V , V n]

10 → see also shooting , shot

11 PHRASE If you shoot the breeze or shoot the bull with someone, you talk to them about things which are not very serious or important. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [+ with ] They expected me to sit up and shoot the breeze with them till one or two in the morning. □ I also met with Pollack again to kind of shoot the bull.

12 to shoot from the hip → see hip

▸ shoot down

1 PHRASAL VERB If someone shoots down an aeroplane, a helicopter, or a missile, they make it fall to the ground by hitting it with a bullet or missile. □ [V P n] They claimed to have shot down one incoming missile. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If one person shoots down another, they shoot them with a gun. □ [V P n] He was prepared to suppress rebellion by shooting down protesters. □ [V n P ] They shot him down in cold blood.

3 PHRASAL VERB If you shoot someone down or shoot down their ideas, you say or show that they are completely wrong. □ [V n P ] She was able to shoot the rumour down in flames with ample documentary evidence. [Also V P n]

▸ shoot up

1 PHRASAL VERB If something shoots up , it grows or increases very quickly. □ [V P + by ] Sales shot up by 9% last month. □ [V P ] The fair market value of the property shot up. [Also V P + to ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If a drug addict shoots up , they inject a quantity of drugs into their body. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] Drug addicts shoot up in the back alleys. □ [V P n] We shot up heroin in the playground.

shoo t-em-up (shoot-em-ups ) N‑COUNT A shoot-em-up is a computer game that involves shooting and killing characters. [INFORMAL ]

shoot|er /ʃuː tə ^r / (shooters )

1 N‑COUNT A shooter is a person who shoots a gun. □ An eyewitness identified him as the shooter.

2 N‑COUNT A shooter is a gun. [INFORMAL ]

shoot|ing /ʃuː t I ŋ/ (shootings )

1 N‑COUNT A shooting is an occasion when someone is killed or injured by being shot with a gun. □ A gang war led to a series of shootings in the city.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Shooting is hunting animals with a gun as a leisure activity. [BRIT ] □ Grouse shooting begins in August. in AM, use hunting 3 N‑UNCOUNT The shooting of a film is the act of filming it. □ Ingrid was busy learning her lines for the next day's shooting.

shoo t|ing gal|lery (shooting galleries ) N‑COUNT A shooting gallery is a place where people use rifles to shoot at targets, especially in order to win prizes.

shoo t|ing star (shooting stars ) N‑COUNT A shooting star is a piece of rock or metal that burns very brightly when it enters the Earth's atmosphere from space, and is seen from Earth as a bright star travelling very fast across the sky.

shoo t|ing war (shooting wars ) N‑COUNT When two countries in conflict engage in a shooting war , they fight each other with weapons rather than opposing each other by diplomatic or other means. [JOURNALISM ]

shoo t-out (shoot-outs )

1 N‑COUNT A shoot-out is a fight in which people shoot at each other with guns. □ Three men were killed in the shoot-out.

2 N‑COUNT In games such as football, a shoot-out or a penalty shoot-out is a way of deciding the result of a game that has ended in a draw. Players from each team try to score a goal in turn until one player fails to score and their team loses the game. □ The Danes won that UEFA tie in a shoot-out.

shop ◆◆◇ /ʃɒ p/ (shops , shopping , shopped )

1 N‑COUNT A shop is a building or part of a building where things are sold. [mainly BRIT ] □ …health-food shops. □ …a record shop. □ It's not available in the shops. in AM, usually use store 2 VERB When you shop , you go to shops and buy things. □ [V prep/adv] He always shopped at the Co-op. □ [V prep/adv] …some advice that's worth bearing in mind when shopping for a new carpet. □ [V ] …customers who shop once a week. ● shop|per (shoppers ) N‑COUNT □ …crowds of Christmas shoppers.

3 N‑COUNT [n N ] You can refer to a place where a particular service is offered as a particular type of shop . □ …the barber shop where Rodney sometimes had his hair cut. □ …your local pet shop.

4 VERB If you shop someone, you report them to the police for doing something illegal. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] His appalled family shopped him to the police. □ [be V -ed] Fraudsters are often shopped by honest friends and neighbours.

5 → see also shopping , chip shop , coffee shop , corner shop , paper shop , pawn shop , print shop , sex shop , talking shop , tea shop , thrift shop

6 PHRASE If something is happening all over the shop , it is happening in many different places or throughout a wide area. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ This gave them the freedom to make trouble all over the shop without fear of retribution.

7 PHRASE If you set up shop , you start a business. □ He set up shop as an independent PR consultant.

8 PHRASE If you shop till you drop , you do a large amount of shopping. □ You can use your card in cash machines, or to shop till you drop.

9 PHRASE If you say that people are talking shop , you mean that they are talking about their work, and this is boring for other people who do not do the same work. □ If you hang around with colleagues all the time you just end up talking shop.

▸ shop around PHRASAL VERB If you shop around , you go to different shops or companies in order to compare the prices and quality of goods or services before you decide to buy them. □ [V P ] Prices may vary so it's well worth shopping around before you buy. □ [V P + for ] He shopped around for a firm that would be flexible.

shopa|hol|ic /ʃɒ pəhɒ l I k/ (shopaholics ) N‑COUNT A shopaholic is someone who greatly enjoys going shopping and buying things, or who cannot stop themselves doing this. [INFORMAL ]

sho p as|sis|tant (shop assistants ) N‑COUNT A shop assistant is a person who works in a shop selling things to customers. [BRIT ] in AM, use sales clerk

sho p floo r also shop-floor , shopfloor N‑SING [oft N n] The shop floor is used to refer to all the ordinary workers in a factory or the area where they work, especially in contrast to the people who are in charge. [BRIT ] □ Cost must be controlled, not just on the shop floor but in the boardroom too.

sho p front (shop fronts ) also shopfront N‑COUNT A shop front is the outside part of a shop which faces the street, including the door and windows. [BRIT ] in AM, use storefront

shop|keeper /ʃɒ pkiːpə ^r / (shopkeepers ) N‑COUNT A shopkeeper is a person who owns or manages a small shop. [BRIT ] in AM, use storekeeper , merchant

shop|lift /ʃɒ pl I ft/ (shoplifts , shoplifting , shoplifted ) VERB If someone shoplifts , they steal goods from a shop by hiding them in a bag or in their clothes. □ [V ] He openly shoplifted from a supermarket. □ [V n] They had shoplifted thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise. ● shop|lifter (shoplifters ) N‑COUNT □ …a shoplifter in court for stealing a bottle of perfume.

shop|lifting /ʃɒ pl I ft I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Shoplifting is stealing from a shop by hiding things in a bag or in your clothes. □ The grocer accused her of shoplifting and demanded to look in her bag.

shop|ping ◆◇◇ /ʃɒ p I ŋ/

1 N‑UNCOUNT When you do the shopping , you go to shops and buy things. □ I'll do the shopping this afternoon.

2 → see also window shopping

3 N‑UNCOUNT Your shopping is the things that you have bought from shops, especially food. □ We put the shopping away.

sho p|ping cart (shopping carts ) N‑COUNT A shopping cart is the same as a shopping trolley . [AM ]

sho p|ping cen|tre (shopping centres ) in AM, use shopping center N‑COUNT A shopping centre is a specially built area containing a lot of different shops. □ The new shopping centre was constructed at a cost of 1.1 million.

sho p|ping chan|nel (shopping channels ) N‑COUNT A shopping channel is a television channel that broadcasts programmes showing products that you can phone the channel and buy.

sho p|ping list (shopping lists ) N‑COUNT A shopping list is a list of the things that you want to buy when you go shopping, which you write on a piece of paper.

sho p|ping mall (shopping malls ) N‑COUNT A shopping mall is a specially built covered area containing shops and restaurants which people can walk between, and where cars are not allowed.

sho p|ping trol|ley (shopping trolleys ) N‑COUNT A shopping trolley is a large metal basket on wheels which is provided by shops such as supermarkets for customers to use while they are in the shop. [BRIT ] in AM, use shopping cart

sho p ste w|ard (shop stewards ) N‑COUNT A shop steward is a trade union member who is elected by the other members in a factory or office to speak for them at official meetings. [BRIT ]

shore ◆◇◇ /ʃɔː ^r / (shores , shoring , shored ) N‑COUNT The shores or the shore of a sea, lake, or wide river is the land along the edge of it. Someone who is on shore is on the land rather than on a ship. □ They walked down to the shore. □ [+ of ] …elephants living on the shores of Lake Kariba. □ I have spent less time on shore than most men.

▸ shore up PHRASAL VERB If you shore up something that is weak or about to fail, you do something in order to strengthen it or support it. □ [V P n] The democracies of the West may find it hard to shore up their defences. [Also V n P ]

shore|line /ʃɔː ^r la I n/ (shorelines ) N‑COUNT A shoreline is the edge of a sea, lake, or wide river.

shorn /ʃɔː ^r n/

1 ADJ If grass or hair is shorn , it has been cut very short. [LITERARY ] □ …his shorn hair.

2 ADJ If a person or thing is shorn of something that was an important part of them, it has been removed from them. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] She looks terrible, shorn of all her beauty and dignity.

3 Shorn is the past participle of shear .

short

➊ ADJECTIVE AND ADVERB USES

➋ NOUN USES

➊ short ◆◆◆ /ʃɔː ^r t/ (shorter , shortest )

→ Please look at categories 25 to 32 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.

1 ADJ If something is short or lasts for a short time, it does not last very long. □ The announcement was made a short time ago. □ How could you do it in such a short period of time? □ Kemp gave a short laugh. □ We had a short meeting.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you talk about a short hour, day, or year, you mean that it seems to have passed very quickly or will seem to pass very quickly. □ For a few short weeks there was peace.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A short speech, letter, or book does not have many words or pages in it. □ …short extracts from the Bible.

4 ADJ Someone who is short is not as tall as most people are. □ I'm tall and thin and he's short and fat. □ …a short, elderly woman with grey hair.

5 ADJ Something that is short measures only a small amount from one end to the other. □ The city centre and shops are only a short distance away. □ His black hair was very short.

6 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are short of something or if it is short , you do not have enough of it. If you are running short of something or if it is running short , you do not have much of it left. □ [+ of ] Her father's illness left the family short of money. □ Supplies of everything are unreliable; food is short.

7 ADJ If someone or something is or stops short of a place, they have not quite reached it. If they are or fall short of an amount, they have not quite achieved it. □ [+ of ] He stopped a hundred yards short of the building.

8 PHRASE Short of a particular thing means except for that thing or without actually doing that thing. □ Short of climbing railings four metres high, there was no way into the garden from this road.

9 ADV [ADV after v] If something is cut short or stops short , it is stopped before people expect it to or before it has finished. □ His glittering career was cut short by a heart attack.

10 ADJ If a name or abbreviation is short for another name, it is the short version of that name. □ [+ for ] Her friend Kes (short for Kesewa) was in tears. □ [+ for ] 'O.O.B.E.' is short for 'Out Of Body Experience'.

11 ADJ If you have a short temper, you get angry very easily. □ …an awkward, self-conscious woman with a short temper.

12 → see also short-tempered

13 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are short with someone, you speak briefly and rather rudely to them, because you are impatient or angry. □ [+ with ] She seemed nervous or tense, and she was definitely short with me.

14 PHRASE If a person or thing is called something for short , that is the short version of their name. □ Opposite me was a woman called Jasminder (Jazzy for short).

15 PHRASE If you go short of something, especially food, you do not have as much of it as you want or need. □ [+ of ] Some people may manage their finances badly and therefore have to go short of essentials.

16 PHRASE You use in short when you have been giving a lot of details and you want to give a conclusion or summary. □ Try tennis, badminton or windsurfing. In short, anything challenging.

17 PHRASE You use nothing short of or little short of to emphasize how great or extreme something is. For example, if you say that something is nothing short of a miracle or nothing short of disastrous, you are emphasizing that it is a miracle or it is disastrous. [EMPHASIS ] □ The results are nothing short of magnificent.

18 PHRASE If you say that someone is, for example, several cards short of a full deck or one sandwich short of a picnic , you think they are stupid, foolish, or crazy. [INFORMAL ]

19 PHRASE If someone or something is short on a particular good quality, they do not have as much of it as you think they should have. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The proposals were short on detail.

20 PHRASE If someone stops short of doing something, they come close to doing it but do not actually do it. □ He stopped short of explicitly criticizing the government.

21 PHRASE If workers are put on short time , they are asked to work fewer hours than the normal working week, because their employer can not afford to pay them a full-time wage. □ Workers across the country have been put on short time because of the slump in demand. □ Most manufacturers have had to introduce short-time working.

22 PHRASE If something pulls you up short or brings you up short , it makes you suddenly stop what you are doing. □ The name on the gate pulled me up short.

23 PHRASE If you make short work of someone or something, you deal with them or defeat them very quickly. [INFORMAL ] □ Agassi made short work of his opponent.

24 short of breath → see breath

25 at short notice → see notice

26 to sell someone short → see sell

27 to get short shrift → see shrift

28 to cut a long story short → see story

29 to draw the short straw → see straw

30 in short supply → see supply

31 in the short term → see term

➋ short /ʃɔː ^r t/ (shorts )

1 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Shorts are trousers with very short legs, that people wear in hot weather or for taking part in sports. □ …two women in bright cotton shorts and tee shirts.

2 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Shorts are men's underpants with short legs. [mainly AM ]

3 N‑COUNT A short is a small amount of a strong alcoholic drink such as whisky, gin, or vodka, rather than a weaker alcoholic drink that you can drink in larger quantities. [mainly BRIT ]

4 N‑COUNT A short is a short film, especially one that is shown before the main film at the cinema.

short|age ◆◇◇ /ʃɔː ^r t I dʒ/ (shortages ) N‑VAR [n N ] If there is a shortage of something, there is not enough of it. □ [+ of ] A shortage of funds is preventing the U.N. from monitoring relief. □ Vietnam is suffering from a food shortage. COLLOCATIONS shortage NOUN

noun + shortage : food, housing, staff, water; skill

adjective + shortage : acute, chronic, critical, severe; global, nationwide, widespread, worldwide

verb + shortage : address, experience, face; ease, overcome; cause, create SYNONYMS shortage NOUN

deficiency: They did blood tests on him for signs of vitamin deficiency.

lack: Despite his lack of experience, he got the job.

shortfall: The government has refused to make up a £30,000 shortfall in funding.

scarcity: …an ever-increasing scarcity of water.

want: …a want of manners and charm.

sho rt back and si des also short-back-and-sides N‑SING If a man has a short back and sides , his hair is cut very short at the back and sides with slightly thicker, longer hair on the top of the head. [BRIT ]

short|bread /ʃɔː ^r tbred/ (shortbreads ) N‑VAR Shortbread is a kind of biscuit made from flour, sugar, and butter.

short|cake /ʃɔː ^r tke I k/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Shortcake is the same as shortbread . [BRIT ]

2 N‑UNCOUNT Shortcake is a cake or dessert which consists of a crisp cake with layers of fruit and cream. [mainly AM ] □ …desserts like strawberry shortcake.

sho rt-cha nge (short-changes , short-changing , short-changed )

1 VERB If someone short-changes you, they do not give you enough change after you have bought something from them. □ [V n] The cashier made a mistake and short-changed him.

2 VERB [usu passive] If you are short-changed , you are treated unfairly or dishonestly, often because you are given less of something than you deserve. □ [be V -ed] Women are in fact still being short-changed in the press.

sho rt-ci rcuit (short-circuits , short-circuiting , short-circuited )

1 VERB If an electrical device short-circuits or if someone or something short-circuits it, a wrong connection or damaged wire causes electricity to travel along the wrong route and damage the device. □ [V ] Carbon dust and oil build up in large motors and cause them to short-circuit. □ [V n] Once inside they short-circuited the electronic security. ● N‑COUNT Short-circuit is also a noun. □ The fire was started by an electrical short-circuit.

2 VERB If someone or something short-circuits a process or system, they avoid long or difficult parts of it and use a quicker, more direct method to achieve their aim. □ [V n] The approach was intended to short-circuit normal complaints procedures.

short|coming /ʃɔː ^r tkʌm I ŋ/ (shortcomings ) N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft with poss] Someone's or something's shortcomings are the faults or weaknesses which they have. □ [+ of ] Marriages usually break down as a result of the shortcomings of both partners.

short|crust /ʃɔː ^r tkrʌst/ ADJ [ADJ n] Shortcrust pastry is a kind of pastry that is used to make pies and tarts. [BRIT ]

sho rt cu t (short cuts ) also short-cut , shortcut

1 N‑COUNT A short cut is a quicker way of getting somewhere than the usual route. □ I tried to take a short cut and got lost.

2 N‑COUNT A short cut is a method of achieving something more quickly or more easily than if you use the usual methods. □ [+ to ] Fame can be a shortcut to love and money.

3 N‑COUNT On a computer, a shortcut is an icon on the desktop that allows you to go immediately to a program, document and so on. [COMPUTING ] □ …ways to move or copy icons or create shortcuts in Windows.

4 N‑COUNT On a computer, a shortcut is a keystroke or a combination of keystrokes that allows you to give commands without using the mouse. [COMPUTING ] □ …a handy keyboard shortcut that takes you to the top of the screen.

short|en /ʃɔː ^r t ^ə n/ (shortens , shortening , shortened )

1 VERB If you shorten an event or the length of time that something lasts, or if it shortens , it does not last as long as it would otherwise do or as it used to do. □ [V n] Smoking can shorten your life. □ [V ] When the days shorten in winter some people suffer depression.

2 VERB If you shorten an object or if it shortens , it becomes smaller in length. □ [V n] Her father paid £1,000 for an operation to shorten her nose. □ [V ] As they shorten, cells become more prone to disease and death.

3 VERB If you shorten a name or other word, you change it by removing some of the letters. □ [V n] Originally called Lili, she eventually shortened her name to Lee.

4 to shorten the odds → see odds

short|en|ing /ʃɔː ^r tn I ŋ/ (shortenings ) N‑VAR Shortening is cooking fat that you use with flour in order to make pastry or dough. [mainly AM ]

short|fall /ʃɔː ^r tfɔːl/ (shortfalls ) N‑COUNT If there is a shortfall in something, there is less of it than you need. □ [+ in ] The government has refused to make up a £30,000 shortfall in funding.

short|hand /ʃɔː ^r thænd/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Shorthand is a quick way of writing and uses signs to represent words or syllables. Shorthand is used by secretaries and journalists to write down what someone is saying. □ Ben took notes in shorthand.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] You can use shorthand to mean a quick or simple way of referring to something. □ We've been friends so long we have a kind of shorthand. We don't really need to speak.

sho rt-ha nded also shorthanded ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a company, organization, or group is short-handed , it does not have enough people to work on a particular job or for a particular purpose. □ We're actually a bit short-handed at the moment.

sho rt|hand ty p|ist (shorthand typists ) N‑COUNT A shorthand typist is a person who types and writes shorthand, usually in an office. [BRIT ] in AM, use stenographer

sho rt-haul ADJ [ADJ n] Short-haul is used to describe things that involve transporting passengers or goods over short distances. Compare long-haul . □ Short-haul flights operate from Heathrow and Gatwick.

short|ish /ʃɔː ^r t I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Shortish means fairly short. □ …a shortish man, with graying hair.

short|list /ʃɔː ^r tl I st/ (shortlists , shortlisting , shortlisted ) The spelling short list is used in American English and sometimes in British English for the noun. 1 N‑COUNT If someone is on a shortlist , for example for a job or a prize, they are one of a small group of people who have been chosen from a larger group. The successful person is then chosen from the small group. □ [+ of ] If you've been asked for an interview you are probably on a shortlist of no more than six.

2 VERB [usu passive] If someone or something is shortlisted for a job or a prize, they are put on a shortlist. [mainly BRIT ] □ [be V -ed + for ] He was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize for literature several times. [Also be V -ed + as ]

sho rt-li ved ADJ Something that is short-lived does not last very long. □ Any hope that the speech would end the war was short-lived.

short|ly ◆◇◇ /ʃɔː ^r tli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adv] If something happens shortly after or before something else, it happens not long after or before it. If something is going to happen shortly , it is going to happen soon. □ Their trial will shortly begin. □ The work will be completed very shortly. □ [+ after ] Shortly after moving into her apartment, she found a job. [Also + before ]

sho rt me s|sage sy s|tem (short message systems ) also short message service N‑COUNT A short message system is a way of sending short written messages from one mobile phone to another. The abbreviation SMS is also used.

sho rt-ra nge ADJ [ADJ n] Short-range weapons or missiles are designed to be fired across short distances.

sho rt-si ghted also shortsighted

1 ADJ If you are short-sighted , you cannot see things properly when they are far away, because there is something wrong with your eyes. [mainly BRIT ] □ Testing showed her to be very short-sighted. in AM, usually use near-sighted ● short-sightedness N‑UNCOUNT □ Radical eye surgery promises to cure short-sightedness.

2 ADJ If someone is short-sighted about something, or if their ideas are short-sighted , they do not make proper or careful judgments about the future. □ Environmentalists fear that this is a short-sighted approach to the problem of global warming. ● short-sightedness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The government now recognises the short-sightedness of this approach.

sho rt-sta ffed ADJ A company or place that is short-staffed does not have enough people working there. [mainly BRIT ] □ The hospital is desperately short-staffed. in AM, use short-handed

short|stop /ʃɔː ^r tstɒp/ (shortstops ) N‑COUNT In baseball, a shortstop is a player who tries to stop balls that go between second and third base.

sho rt sto |ry (short stories ) N‑COUNT A short story is a written story about imaginary events that is only a few pages long. □ He published a collection of short stories.

sho rt-te mpered ADJ Someone who is short-tempered gets angry very quickly. □ I'm a bit short-tempered sometimes.

sho rt-term ◆◇◇ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Short-term is used to describe things that will last for a short time, or things that will have an effect soon rather than in the distant future. □ Investors weren't concerned about short-term profits over the next few years. □ This is a cynical manipulation of the situation for short-term political gain. □ The company has 90 staff, almost all on short-term contracts.

sho rt-te rmism N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse people of short-termism , you mean that they make decisions that produce benefits now or soon, rather than making better decisions that will produce benefits in the future. [DISAPPROVAL ]

sho rt-time → see short ➊

sho rt-wave also short wave , shortwave N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Short-wave is a range of short radio wavelengths used for broadcasting. □ I use the short-wave radio to get the latest war news.

shot ◆◆◇ /ʃɒ t/ (shots )

1 Shot is the past tense and past participle of shoot .

2 N‑COUNT A shot is an act of firing a gun. □ He had murdered Perceval at point blank range with a single shot. □ They fired a volley of shots at the target.

3 N‑COUNT [adj N ] Someone who is a good shot can shoot well. Someone who is a bad shot cannot shoot well. □ He was not a particularly good shot because of his eyesight.

4 N‑COUNT In sports such as football, golf, or tennis, a shot is an act of kicking, hitting, or throwing the ball, especially in an attempt to score a point. □ [+ at ] He had only one shot at goal.

5 N‑COUNT A shot is a photograph or a particular sequence of pictures in a film. □ [+ of ] …a shot of a fox peering from the bushes.

6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you have a shot at something, you attempt to do it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ at ] The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.

7 N‑COUNT A shot of a drug is an injection of it. □ [+ of ] He administered a shot of Nembutal.

8 N‑COUNT A shot of a strong alcoholic drink is a small glass of it. [AM ] □ [+ of ] …a shot of vodka.

9 PHRASE If you give something your best shot , you do it as well as you possibly can. [INFORMAL ] □ I don't expect to win. But I am going to give it my best shot.

10 PHRASE The person who calls the shots is in a position to tell others what to do. □ The directors call the shots and nothing happens without their say-so.

11 PHRASE If you do something like a shot , you do it without any delay or hesitation. [INFORMAL ] □ I heard the key turn in the front door and I was out of bed like a shot.

12 PHRASE If you describe something as a long shot , you mean that it is unlikely to succeed, but is worth trying. □ The deal was a long shot, but Bagley had little to lose.

13 PHRASE People sometimes use the expression by a long shot to emphasize the opinion they are giving. [EMPHASIS ] □ The missile-reduction treaty makes sweeping cuts, but the arms race isn't over by a long shot.

14 PHRASE If something is shot through with an element or feature, it contains a lot of that element or feature. □ This is an argument shot through with inconsistency.

15 a shot in the dark → see dark

shot|gun /ʃɒ tgʌn/ (shotguns ) N‑COUNT A shotgun is a gun used for shooting birds and animals which fires a lot of small metal balls at one time.

sho t|gun we d|ding (shotgun weddings )

1 N‑COUNT A shotgun wedding is a wedding that has to take place quickly, often because the woman is pregnant.

2 N‑COUNT A shotgun wedding is a merger between two companies which takes place in a hurry because one or both of the companies is having difficulties. [BUSINESS ]

sho t put N‑SING In athletics, the shot put is a competition in which people throw a heavy metal ball as far as possible. ● shot put|ter (shot putters ) N‑COUNT □ …muscle-bound 6ft 6in shotputters.

should ◆◆◆ /ʃəd, STRONG ʃʊd/ Should is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. 1 MODAL You use should when you are saying what would be the right thing to do or the right state for something to be in. □ I should exercise more. □ The diet should be maintained unchanged for about a year. □ He's never going to be able to forget it. And I don't think he should. □ Sometimes I am not as brave as I should be. □ Should our children be taught to swim at school?

2 MODAL You use should to give someone an order to do something, or to report an official order. □ All visitors should register with the British Embassy. □ The European Commission ruled that British Aerospace should pay back tens of millions of pounds.

3 MODAL If you say that something should have happened, you mean that it did not happen, but that you wish it had. If you say that something should not have happened, you mean that it did happen, but that you wish it had not. □ I should have gone this morning but I was feeling a bit ill. □ You should have written to the area manager again. □ I shouldn't have said what I did.

4 MODAL You use should when you are saying that something is probably the case or will probably happen in the way you are describing. If you say that something should have happened by a particular time, you mean that it will probably have happened by that time. □ You should have no problem with reading this language. □ The doctor said it will take six weeks and I should be fine by then.

5 MODAL You use should in questions when you are asking someone for advice, permission, or information. □ Should I or shouldn't I go to university? □ Please could you advise me what I should do? □ Should I go back to the motel and wait for you to phone?

6 MODAL You say ' I should ', usually with the expression 'if I were you', when you are giving someone advice by telling them what you would do if you were in their position. [FORMAL ] □ I should look out if I were you!

7 MODAL You use should in conditional clauses when you are talking about things that might happen. [FORMAL ] □ If you should be fired, your health and pension benefits will not be automatically cut off. □ Should you buy a home from Lovell, the company promises to buy it back at the same price after three years.

8 MODAL You use should in 'that' clauses after certain verbs, nouns, and adjectives when you are talking about a future event or situation. □ He raised his glass and indicated that I should do the same. □ My father was very keen that I should fulfill my potential.

9 MODAL You use should in expressions such as I should think and I should imagine to indicate that you think something is true but you are not sure. [VAGUENESS ] □ I should think it's going to rain soon.

10 MODAL You use should in expressions such as I should like and I should be happy to show politeness when you are saying what you want to do, or when you are requesting, offering, or accepting something. [POLITENESS ] □ I should be happy if you would bring them this evening.

11 MODAL You use should in expressions such as You should have seen us and You should have heard him to emphasize how funny, shocking, or impressive something that you experienced was. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ You should have heard him last night!

shoul|der ◆◆◇ /ʃoʊ ldə ^r / (shoulders , shouldering , shouldered )

1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your shoulders are between your neck and the tops of your arms. □ She led him to an armchair, with her arm round his shoulder. □ He glanced over his shoulder and saw me watching him.

2 N‑COUNT The shoulders of a piece of clothing are the parts that cover your shoulders. □ …extravagant fashions with padded shoulders.

3 N‑PLURAL When you talk about someone's problems or responsibilities, you can say that they carry them on their shoulders . □ No one suspected the anguish he carried on his shoulders.

4 VERB If you shoulder the responsibility or the blame for something, you accept it. □ [V n] He has had to shoulder the responsibility of his father's mistakes.

5 VERB If you shoulder something heavy, you put it across one of your shoulders so that you can carry it more easily. □ [V n] The rest of the group shouldered their bags, gritted their teeth and set off.

6 VERB If you shoulder someone aside or if you shoulder your way somewhere, you push past people roughly using your shoulder. □ [V n with aside ] The policemen rushed past him, shouldering him aside. □ [V n prep/adv] She could do nothing to stop him as he shouldered his way into the house. □ [V + past ] He shouldered past Harlech and opened the door. [Also V + through ]

7 N‑VAR A shoulder is a joint of meat from the upper part of the front leg of an animal. □ …shoulder of lamb.

8 → see also cold shoulder , hard shoulder

9 PHRASE If someone offers you a shoulder to cry on or is a shoulder to cry on , they listen sympathetically as you talk about your troubles. □ Roland sometimes saw me as a shoulder to cry on.

10 PHRASE If you say that someone or something stands head and shoulders above other people or things, you mean that they are a lot better than them. □ The two candidates stood head and shoulders above the rest.

11 PHRASE If two or more people stand shoulder to shoulder , they are standing next to each other, with their shoulders touching. □ They fell into step, walking shoulder to shoulder with their heads bent against the rain.

12 PHRASE If people work or stand shoulder to shoulder , they work together in order to achieve something, or support each other. □ They could fight shoulder-to-shoulder against a common enemy.

13 a chip on one's shoulder → see chip

14 to rub shoulders with → see rub

shou lder-bag (shoulder-bags ) N‑COUNT A shoulder-bag is a bag that has a long strap so that it can be carried on a person's shoulder.

shou l|der blade (shoulder blades ) N‑COUNT Your shoulder blades are the two large, flat, triangular bones that you have in the upper part of your back, below your shoulders.

shou lder-hi gh ADJ [usu ADJ n] A shoulder-high object is as high as your shoulders. □ …a shoulder-high hedge. ● ADV [ADV after v] Shoulder-high is also an adverb. □ They picked up Oliver and carried him shoulder high into the garage.

shou lder-length ADJ [usu ADJ n] Shoulder-length hair is long enough to reach your shoulders.

shou l|der pad (shoulder pads ) N‑COUNT Shoulder pads are small pads that are put inside the shoulders of a jacket, coat, or other article of clothing in order to raise them.

shou l|der strap (shoulder straps )

1 N‑COUNT The shoulder straps on a piece of clothing such as a dress are two narrow straps that go over the shoulders.

2 N‑COUNT A shoulder strap on a bag is a long strap that you put over your shoulder to carry the bag.

shouldn't /ʃʊ d ^ə nt/ Shouldn't is the usual spoken form of 'should not'.

should've /ʃʊdəv/ Should've is the usual spoken form of 'should have', especially when 'have' is an auxiliary verb.

shout ◆◇◇ /ʃaʊ t/ (shouts , shouting , shouted )

1 VERB If you shout , you say something very loudly, usually because you want people a long distance away to hear you or because you are angry. □ [V ] He had to shout to make himself heard above the near gale-force wind. □ [V with quote] 'She's alive!' he shouted triumphantly. □ [V + for ] Andrew rushed out of the house, shouting for help. □ [V + at ] You don't have to shout at me. □ [V + at ] I shouted at mother to get the police. □ [V n] The driver managed to escape from the vehicle and shout a warning. [Also V that] ● N‑COUNT Shout is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The decision was greeted with shouts of protest from opposition MPs. □ I heard a distant shout.

2 PHRASE If you say that someone is in with a shout of achieving or winning something, you mean that they have a chance of achieving or winning it. [INFORMAL ] □ He knew he was in with a shout of making Craig Brown's squad for Japan.

▸ shout down PHRASAL VERB If people shout down someone who is trying to speak, they prevent that person from being heard by shouting at them. □ [V n P ] They shouted him down when he tried to explain his point of view. □ [V P n] There were scuffles when hecklers began to shout down the speakers.

▸ shout out PHRASAL VERB If you shout something out , you say it very loudly so that people can hear you clearly. □ [V P n] They shouted out the names of those detained. □ [V P with quote] I shouted out 'I'm OK'. □ [V n P ] I wanted to shout it out, let her know what I had overheard. [Also V P ]

shou t|ing match (shouting matches ) N‑COUNT A shouting match is an angry quarrel in which people shout at each other. □ [+ with ] We had a real shouting match with each other. [Also + between ]

shout|out /ʃaʊ taʊt/ (shoutouts ) N‑COUNT A shoutout is a public greeting to a named person, especially on the radio or on television. □ I just want to give a shoutout to my friends Bill and Jack.

shove /ʃʌ v/ (shoves , shoving , shoved )

1 VERB If you shove someone or something, you push them with a quick, violent movement. □ [V n prep/adv] He shoved her out of the way. □ [V n] He's the one who shoved me. □ [V ] She shoved as hard as she could. ● N‑COUNT Shove is also a noun. □ She gave Gracie a shove towards the house.

2 VERB If you shove something somewhere, you push it there quickly and carelessly. □ [V n prep/adv] We shoved a copy of the newsletter beneath their door.

3 PHRASE If you talk about what you think will happen if push comes to shove , you are talking about what you think will happen if a situation becomes very bad or difficult. [INFORMAL ] □ If push comes to shove, if you should lose your case in the court, what will you do?

shov|el /ʃʌ v ^ə l/ (shovels , shovelling , shovelled ) in AM, use shoveling , shoveled 1 N‑COUNT A shovel is a tool with a long handle that is used for lifting and moving earth, coal, or snow. □ …a coal shovel. □ She dug the foundation with a pick and shovel.

2 VERB If you shovel earth, coal, or snow, you lift and move it with a shovel. □ [V n] He has to get out and shovel snow. □ [V n prep/adv] Pendergood had shovelled the sand out of the caravan.

3 VERB If you shovel something somewhere, you push a lot of it quickly into that place. □ [V n prep/adv] Randall was shoveling food into his mouth.

show ◆◆◆ /ʃoʊ / (shows , showing , showed , shown )

1 VERB If something shows that a state of affairs exists, it gives information that proves it or makes it clear to people. □ [V that] Research shows that a high-fibre diet may protect you from bowel cancer. □ [V n] These figures show an increase of over one million in unemployment. □ [be V -ed to-inf] New airline technology was shown to be improving fuel consumption. □ [V wh] You'll be given regular blood tests to show whether you have been infected.

2 VERB If a picture, chart, film, or piece of writing shows something, it represents it or gives information about it. □ [V n] Figure 4.1 shows the respiratory system. □ [V -ed] The cushions, shown left, measure 20 x 12 inches and cost $39.95. □ [V n v-ing] Much of the film shows the painter simply going about his task. □ [V wh] Our photograph shows how the plants will turn out.

3 VERB If you show someone something, you give it to them, take them to it, or point to it, so that they can see it or know what you are referring to. □ [V n + to ] Cut out this article and show it to your bank manager. □ [V n n] He showed me the flat he shares with Esther. □ [V n wh] I showed them where the gun was.

4 VERB If you show someone to a room or seat, you lead them there. □ [V n prep/adv] Let me show you to my study. □ [V n n] I'll show you the way.

5 VERB If you show someone how to do something, you do it yourself so that they can watch you and learn how to do it. □ [V n wh] Claire showed us how to make a chocolate roulade. □ [V n n] Dr. Reichert has shown us a new way to look at those behavior problems.

6 VERB If something shows or if you show it, it is visible or noticeable. □ [V n] His beard was just beginning to show signs of grey. □ [V ] Faint glimmers of daylight were showing through the treetops.

7 VERB If you show a particular attitude, quality, or feeling, or if it shows , you behave in a way that makes this attitude, quality, or feeling clear to other people. □ [V n] She showed no interest in her children. □ [V ] Ferguson was unhappy and it showed. □ [V n n] You show me respect. □ [V pron-refl to-inf] Mr Clarke has shown himself to be resolutely opposed to compromise. □ [V that] The baby was tugging at his coat to show that he wanted to be picked up.

8 VERB If something shows a quality or characteristic or if that quality or characteristic shows itself , it can be noticed or observed. □ [V n] The story shows a strong narrative gift and a vivid eye for detail. □ [V pron-refl] How else did his hostility to women show itself?

9 N‑COUNT [usu a N of n] A show of a feeling or quality is an attempt by someone to make it clear that they have that feeling or quality. □ [+ of ] Miners gathered in the city centre in a show of support for the government.

10 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something is for show , you mean that it has no real purpose and is done just to give a good impression. □ The change in government is more for show than for real.

11 VERB If a company shows a profit or a loss, its accounts indicate that it has made a profit or a loss. □ [V n] It is the only one of the three companies expected to show a profit for the quarter.

12 VERB If a person you are expecting to meet does not show , they do not arrive at the place where you expect to meet them. [mainly AM ] □ [V ] There was always a chance he wouldn't show. ● PHRASAL VERB Show up means the same as show . □ [V P ] We waited until five o'clock, but he did not show up.

13 N‑COUNT A television or radio show is a programme on television or radio. □ I had my own TV show. □ This is the show in which the presenter visits the houses of the famous. □ …a popular talk show on a Cuban radio station.

14 N‑COUNT A show in a theatre is an entertainment or concert, especially one that includes different items such as music, dancing, and comedy. □ How about going shopping and seeing a show in London?

15 VERB If someone shows a film or television programme, it is broadcast or appears on television or in the cinema. □ [V n] The BBC World Service Television news showed the same film clip. □ [V ] At its peak, the film showed in 93 theaters nationwide in its third weekend. ● show|ing (showings ) N‑COUNT □ [+ of ] I gave him a private showing of the film.

16 N‑COUNT [oft on N ] A show is a public exhibition of things, such as works of art, fashionable clothes, or things that have been entered in a competition. □ The venue for the show is the city's exhibition centre. □ Two complementary exhibitions are on show at the Africa Centre.

17 VERB To show things such as works of art means to put them in an exhibition where they can be seen by the public. □ [V n] 50 dealers will show oils, watercolours, drawings and prints from 1900 to 1992.

18 ADJ [ADJ n] A show home, house, or flat is one of a group of new homes. The building company decorates it and puts furniture in it, and people who want to buy one of the homes come and look round it.

19 PHRASE If a question is decided by a show of hands , people vote on it by raising their hands to indicate whether they vote yes or no. □ Parliamentary leaders agreed to take all such decisions by a show of hands. □ Russell then asked for a show of hands concerning each of the targets.

20 PHRASE If you have something to show for your efforts, you have achieved something as a result of what you have done. □ I'm nearly 31 and it's about time I had something to show for my time in my job.

21 PHRASE You can say ' I'll show you ' to threaten or warn someone that you are going to make them admit that they are wrong. □ She shook her fist. 'I'll show you,' she said.

22 PHRASE If you say it just goes to show or it just shows that something is the case, you mean that what you have just said or experienced demonstrates that it is the case. □ This just goes to show that getting good grades in school doesn't mean you're clever.

23 PHRASE If you say that someone steals the show , you mean that they get a lot of attention or praise because they perform better than anyone else in a show or other event. □ Brad Pitt steals the show as the young man doomed by his zest for life.

24 to show someone the door → see door

25 to show your face → see face ➊

▸ show around in BRIT, also use show round PHRASAL VERB If you show someone around or show them round , you go with them to show them all the interesting, useful, or important features of a place when they first visit it. □ [V n P ] Would you show me around? □ [V n P n] Spear showed him around the flat.

▸ show off

1 PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone is showing off , you are criticizing them for trying to impress people by showing in a very obvious way what they can do or what they own. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P ] All right, there's no need to show off.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you show off something that you have, you show it to a lot of people or make it obvious that you have it, because you are proud of it. □ [V P n] Naomi was showing off her engagement ring. □ [V n P ] He actually enjoys his new hair-style and has decided to start showing it off.

3 → see also show-off

▸ show up

1 PHRASAL VERB If something shows up or if something shows it up , it can be clearly seen or noticed. □ [V P ] You may have some strange disease that may not show up for 10 or 15 years. □ [V P n] …a telescope so powerful that it can show up galaxies billions of light years away.

2 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something shows you up , they make you feel embarrassed or ashamed of them. □ [V n P ] He wanted to teach her a lesson for showing him up in front of Leonov.

3 → see show 12

show|biz /ʃoʊ b I z/ N‑UNCOUNT Showbiz is the same as show business . [INFORMAL ]

sho w busi|ness N‑UNCOUNT Show business is the entertainment industry of film, theatre, and television. □ He started his career in show business by playing the saxophone and singing.

show|case /ʃoʊ ke I s/ (showcases , showcasing , showcased )

1 N‑COUNT A showcase is a glass container with valuable objects inside it, for example at an exhibition or in a museum.

2 N‑COUNT You use showcase to refer to a situation or setting in which something is displayed or presented to its best advantage. □ [+ for ] The festival remains a valuable showcase for new talent.

3 VERB [usu passive] If something is showcased , it is displayed or presented to its best advantage. [JOURNALISM ] □ [be V -ed] Restored films are being showcased this month at a festival in Paris.

show|down /ʃoʊ daʊn/ (showdowns ) also show-down N‑COUNT [usu sing] A showdown is a big argument or conflict which is intended to settle a dispute that has lasted for a long time. □ [+ with ] The Prime Minister is preparing for a showdown with Ministers.

show|er /ʃaʊ ə ^r / (showers , showering , showered )

1 N‑COUNT A shower is a device for washing yourself. It consists of a pipe which ends in a flat cover with a lot of holes in it so that water comes out in a spray. □ She heard him turn on the shower.

2 N‑COUNT A shower is a small enclosed area containing a shower.

3 N‑COUNT The showers or the shower in a place such as a sports centre is the area containing showers. □ The showers are a mess. □ We all stood in the women's shower.

4 N‑COUNT If you have a shower , you wash yourself by standing under a spray of water from a shower. □ I think I'll have a shower before dinner. □ She took two showers a day.

5 VERB If you shower , you wash yourself by standing under a spray of water from a shower. □ [V ] There wasn't time to shower or change clothes.

6 N‑COUNT A shower is a short period of rain, especially light rain. □ There'll be bright or sunny spells and scattered showers this afternoon.

7 N‑COUNT You can refer to a lot of things that are falling as a shower of them. □ [+ of ] Showers of sparks flew in all directions.

8 VERB [usu passive] If you are showered with a lot of small objects or pieces, they are scattered over you. □ [be V -ed + with ] They were showered with rice in the traditional manner.

9 VERB If you shower a person with presents or kisses, you give them a lot of presents or kisses in a very generous and extravagant way. □ [V n + with ] He showered her with emeralds and furs. □ [V n + with ] Her parents showered her with kisses.

10 N‑COUNT A shower is a party or celebration at which the guests bring gifts. [mainly AM ] □ …a baby shower.

11 N‑SING [usu sing] If you refer to a group of people as a particular kind of shower , you disapprove of them. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] …a shower of wasters.

sho w|er gel (shower gels ) N‑VAR Shower gel is a type of liquid soap designed for use in the shower.

show|ery /ʃaʊ əri/ ADJ If the weather is showery , there are showers of rain but it does not rain all the time.

show|girl /ʃoʊ gɜː ^r l/ (showgirls ) N‑COUNT A showgirl is a young woman who sings and dances as part of a group in a musical show.

show|ground /ʃoʊ graʊnd/ (showgrounds ) N‑COUNT A showground is a large area of land where events such as farming shows or horse riding competitions are held.

sho w jump|er (show jumpers ) N‑COUNT A show jumper is a person who takes part in the sport of show jumping. □ I loved horses as a child and was a junior show jumper.

sho w jump|ing also showjumping N‑UNCOUNT Show jumping is a sport in which horses are ridden in competitions to demonstrate their skill in jumping over fences and walls.

show|man /ʃoʊ mæn/ (showmen ) N‑COUNT A showman is a person who is very entertaining and dramatic in the way that they perform, or the way that they present things.

show|man|ship /ʃoʊ mənʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT Showmanship is a person's skill at performing or presenting things in an entertaining and dramatic way.

shown /ʃoʊ n/ Shown is the past participle of show .

sho w-off (show-offs ) also showoff N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a show-off , you are criticizing them for trying to impress people by showing in a very obvious way what they can do or what they own. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]