shelf
4 synonyms for shelf, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A flat board fixed to a wall or cabinet, used for holding or displaying objects.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use shelf
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
bookshelf
off the shelf
shelf life
continental shelf
Etymology
From Old English sċylfe, related to words in Dutch and German for a haystack or ledge.
Full origin of shelf →Frequently asked questions
What does “shelf” mean?
The word “shelf” means a flat board fixed to a wall or cabinet, used for holding or displaying objects. In plain terms, a flat surface for storing things, whether in a cupboard or in nature (like a rock ledge or the sea floor).
How do you pronounce “shelf”?
“Shelf” is pronounced shehlf (/ʃɛlf/ in IPA).
How do you use “shelf” in a sentence?
Here is “shelf” used in a sentence: “She lined the top shelf with her favourite novels.”
What part of speech is “shelf”?
“Shelf” is a noun.
Where does the word “shelf” come from?
The word “shelf” comes from Old English. From Old English sċylfe, related to words in Dutch and German for a haystack or ledge.
Is “shelf” a common word?
“Shelf” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “shelf” have?
“Shelf” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat board fixed to a wall or cabinet, used for holding or displaying objects.
What is the plural of shelf?
The plural of shelf is shelves, with the f changing to v, following the same pattern as leaf/leaves and loaf/loaves. The related verb is shelve, meaning to place something on a shelf or to set a plan aside.
What is a continental shelf?
A continental shelf is the gently sloping ledge of seabed that extends from a coastline before the ocean floor drops steeply away. It uses the sense of shelf meaning a flat ledge that juts out, the same idea behind an ice shelf or a rock shelf.
