shin
8 synonyms for shin, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The front part of the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The front part of the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle.
“He banged his shin on the coffee table.”
How to use shin
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
shin pad
shin guard
shin up a tree
Etymology
From Old English scinu, unrelated to the word "skin" despite the similarity.
Full origin of shin →Frequently asked questions
What does “shin” mean?
The word “shin” means the front part of the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle. In plain terms, the bony front part of your lower leg — the part you bruise easily if you kick something by accident.
How do you pronounce “shin”?
“Shin” is pronounced shihn (/ʃɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “shin” in a sentence?
Here is “shin” used in a sentence: “He banged his shin on the coffee table.”
What part of speech is “shin”?
Depending on how it is used, “shin” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shin” come from?
The word “shin” comes from Old English. From Old English scinu, unrelated to the word "skin" despite the similarity.
Is “shin” a common word?
“Shin” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shin” have?
“Shin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the front part of the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle.
What is the difference between the shin and the calf?
The shin is the front part of the lower leg, running between the knee and the ankle, while the calf is the muscular back part of the lower leg. The shin has little muscle padding, which is why it hurts sharply when bumped.
What does it mean to "shin up" something?
To "shin up" a pole, tree, or rope means to climb it using only the arms and legs, without additional equipment like ladders or ropes with footholds. It emphasizes gripping and pulling the body upward using limb strength alone.
Can "shin" be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, as a noun "shin" refers to the front of the lower leg, and as a verb it describes the act of climbing something using the arms and legs, as in "shin down the drainpipe."
