noun
Uncommon
shin
shihn
Shin (noun) means the front part of the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle. Example: “He banged his shin on the coffee table.”
noun
1
The front part of the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle.
"He banged his shin on the coffee table."
"Football players wear pads to protect their shins."
"The goalkeeper winced when a stray ball hit him on the shin."
verb
1
To climb up or down something, such as a pole or rope, using only the arms and legs.
"The boy shinned up the tree to fetch the ball."
"The scouts shinned up the rope to reach the high platform."
"I watched the monkey shin down the tall pole with ease."
How to use shin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bony front part of your lower leg — the part you bruise easily if you kick something by accident.
Common mistake
Not related to "skin," even though the words look and sound alike.
Common pairings
shin pad
shin guard
shin up a tree
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Word forms
- Plural
- shins
- Third person singular
- shins
- Past tense
- shinned
Fill the gap
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He banged his _____ on the coffee table.
Etymology
From Old English scinu, unrelated to the word "skin" despite the similarity.
Related words
Rhymes for shin
See all rhymes for 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."
