shire
1 synonym for shire, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A county or administrative region, especially in England or Australia.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
shire horse
How to use shire
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
shire council
the shires
Etymology
From Old English sċīr, meaning an administrative district under an official, related to a root meaning "to care for" or "to oversee."
Full origin of shire →Frequently asked questions
What does “shire” mean?
The word “shire” means a county or administrative region, especially in England or Australia. In plain terms, a county, or the act of organising land into counties.
How do you pronounce “shire”?
“Shire” is pronounced sheye-uh (/ʃaɪ(ə)ɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shire” in a sentence?
Here is “shire” used in a sentence: “The shire council met to discuss new roadworks.”
What part of speech is “shire”?
Depending on how it is used, “shire” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shire” come from?
The word “shire” comes from Old English. From Old English sċīr, meaning an administrative district under an official, related to a root meaning "to care for" or "to oversee.".
Is “shire” a common word?
“Shire” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shire” have?
“Shire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a county or administrative region, especially in England or Australia.
