noun
Common
shaft
SHAHFT
Shaft (noun) means a long, narrow, straight part of a tool, weapon, or machine — such as a handle, pole, or rotating rod that transmits power. Example: “Sand the shaft of the spade smooth so it will not give you blisters.”
noun
1
A long, narrow, straight part of a tool, weapon, or machine — such as a handle, pole, or rotating rod that transmits power.
"Sand the shaft of the spade smooth so it will not give you blisters."
"The axe head had come loose from its wooden shaft."
"A worn bearing was causing the drive shaft to vibrate."
2
A vertical or sloped passage sunk into the ground, or a vertical passage in a building housing an elevator or ventilation.
"Engineers climbed down the ventilation shaft to inspect the tunnel below."
"The miners were lowered into the shaft in a metal cage."
"Smoke poured up through the elevator shaft."
3
A narrow beam of light.
"A narrow shaft of light fell across the dusty attic floor."
"Through the gap in the curtains came a thin shaft of moonlight."
"A shaft of sunlight broke through the clouds."
verb
1
To treat someone unfairly or cheat them, often through deceit.
"The dishonest builder shafted his customers by using cheap materials."
"I think we were shafted when they changed the contract at the last minute."
"He felt shafted when his business partner took all the credit."
How to use shaft
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long narrow part or passage — or, informally, to cheat someone.
When to use it
The "cheat someone" sense of shaft is informal and can also be used in coarser slang senses; use with care in formal writing.
Common pairings
drive shaft
mine shaft
shaft of light
get shafted
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Word forms
- Plural
- shafts
- Third person singular
- shafts
- Past tense
- shafted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Sand the _____ of the spade smooth so it will not give you blisters.
Etymology
From Old English sceaft, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning a pole or spear-shaft.
Related words
Rhymes for shaft
See all rhymes for 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.
