shelf
shehlf
Shelf (noun) means a flat board fixed to a wall or cabinet, used for holding or displaying objects. Example: “He fixed a new shelf above the cooker for the spices.”
noun
1
A flat board fixed to a wall or cabinet, used for holding or displaying objects.
"Localities across New Jersey imposed curfews to prevent looting. In Monmouth, Ocean and other counties, people waited for hours for gasoline at the few stations that had electricity. Supermarket shelves were stripped bare."
— David M. Halbfinger, New York Times (2012)
"He fixed a new shelf above the cooker for the spices."
"The photographs sat on a narrow shelf beside the window."
"She lined the top shelf with her favourite novels."
"We keep the old newspapers on the bottom shelf of the cupboard, and our photos on the top shelf."
2
A ledge or flat area that juts out, such as underwater rock or ice.
"Seals rested on the ice shelf while the sea churned below."
"Divers explored the rocky shelf just beneath the surface of the bay."
"The continental shelf extends far out from the coastline before dropping into deep ocean."
How to use shelf
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flat surface for storing things, whether in a cupboard or in nature (like a rock ledge or the sea floor).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bookshelf
off the shelf
shelf life
continental shelf
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Word forms
- Plural
- shelves, shelfs
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He fixed a new _____ above the cooker for the spices.
Etymology
From Old English sċylfe, related to words in Dutch and German for a haystack or ledge.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for shelf
See all rhymes for 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.
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