How to Pronounce Shift

To pronounce "shift", say SHIFT — one syllable, IPA /ʃɪft/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

shift

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

5

Letters

/ʃɪft/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “shift”

"shift" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with miffed and drift, if that helps it stick.

What does shift mean?

noun

  1. A modifier key whose main function is shifting between two or more functions of any of certain other keys (usually by pressing Shift and the other button simultaneously).

noun

  1. A type of women's undergarment, a slip.

    “Just last week she bought a new shift at the market.”

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

    “We'll work three shifts a day till the job's done.”

verb

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

    “We'll have to shift these boxes to the downtown office.”

  2. To change in form or character; swap.

Synonyms

shift keyrepositioninterchangeswapget rid ofremovefondlegropehasten

Antonyms

unshift

Hear “shift” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with shift

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

miffeddriftriftliftswiftadriftgiftmakeshiftshriftsiftclifttift

Related words

chemisesackswitchingteddyslipswaytiltwobble

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "shift"?▾

"Shift" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "shift"?▾

The IPA transcription of "shift" is /ʃɪft/.

What does "shift" mean?▾

Shift: A modifier key whose main function is shifting between two or more functions of any of certain other keys (usually by pressing Shift and the other button simultaneously).

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