shaft
0 antonyms and opposites of shaft, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A long, narrow, straight part of a tool, weapon, or machine — such as a handle, pole, or rotating rod that transmits power.
How to use shaft
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The "cheat someone" sense of shaft is informal and can also be used in coarser slang senses; use with care in formal writing.
Etymology
From Old English sceaft, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning a pole or spear-shaft.
Full origin of shaft →Frequently asked questions
What does “shaft” mean?
The word “shaft” means a long, narrow, straight part of a tool, weapon, or machine — such as a handle, pole, or rotating rod that transmits power. In plain terms, a long narrow part or passage — or, informally, to cheat someone.
How do you pronounce “shaft”?
“Shaft” is pronounced SHAHFT (/ˈʃæft/ in IPA).
How do you use “shaft” in a sentence?
Here is “shaft” used in a sentence: “The axe head had come loose from its wooden shaft.”
What part of speech is “shaft”?
Depending on how it is used, “shaft” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shaft” come from?
The word “shaft” comes from Old English. From Old English sceaft, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning a pole or spear-shaft.
Is “shaft” a common word?
“Shaft” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shaft” have?
“Shaft” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, narrow, straight part of a tool, weapon, or machine — such as a handle, pole, or rotating rod that transmits power.
What is the difference between a shaft and a pole?
A shaft is the long, narrow, straight part of a tool, weapon, or machine, and can also be a rotating rod that transmits power. A pole is simply a long rounded length of material, so not every shaft is a pole, especially a mechanical drive shaft.
What is the difference between a shaft and a tunnel?
A shaft is typically a vertical or steeply sloped passage sunk into the ground, such as a mine shaft or elevator shaft. A tunnel runs horizontally. Orientation is the key distinction between them.
Is 'shaft' as a verb formal or informal?
Used to mean cheating or treating someone unfairly, shaft is informal and often slang, as in "they shafted me on the deal." It should be avoided in formal writing, where words like "cheat" or "defraud" fit better.
What words commonly go with shaft?
Common collocations include "drive shaft," "elevator shaft," "mine shaft," "lift shaft," and "shaft of light." Each pairs shaft with a specific mechanical, structural, or visual meaning.