shoulder
SHOHL-duh
Shoulder (noun) means the joint and surrounding area where the arm meets the torso. Example: “She hurt her shoulder lifting the box.”
noun
1
The joint and surrounding area where the arm meets the torso.
"She hurt her shoulder lifting the box."
"He put a comforting hand on my shoulder."
"He carried his bag over one shoulder as he walked to school."
2
The strip of land bordering a road, used for emergency stops.
"The driver pulled onto the shoulder to change the tyre."
"Never stop on the shoulder of the motorway unless you have an emergency."
"We waited on the grass shoulder while the breakdown truck arrived."
verb
1
To take on responsibility or a burden.
"She had to shoulder the blame for the whole team."
"He shouldered the cost of the repairs alone."
"Parents often shoulder the burden of looking after elderly relatives as well as children."
2
To push with the shoulder.
"He shouldered his way through the crowd."
"The player shouldered the defender aside and ran towards the goal."
"She shouldered open the heavy door because her hands were full."
How to use shoulder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe body part between neck and arm; also, to take on a burden or push with force.
UK vs US
The paved strip beside a motorway is called the "hard shoulder" in the UK and simply the "shoulder" in the US.
Common pairings
shoulder the burden
shoulder the blame
shoulder to shoulder
hard shoulder
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Word forms
- Plural
- shoulders
- Third person singular
- shoulders
- Past tense
- shouldered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She hurt her _____ lifting the box.
Etymology
From Old English sċuldor, of uncertain deeper origin, possibly related to "shield".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shoulder
See all rhymes for shoulder →Frequently asked questions
What does “shoulder” mean?
The word “shoulder” means the joint and surrounding area where the arm meets the torso. In plain terms, the body part between neck and arm; also, to take on a burden or push with force.
How do you pronounce “shoulder”?
“Shoulder” is pronounced SHOHL-duh (/ˈʃoʊldɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shoulder” in a sentence?
Here is “shoulder” used in a sentence: “She hurt her shoulder lifting the box.”
What part of speech is “shoulder”?
Depending on how it is used, “shoulder” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shoulder” come from?
The word “shoulder” comes from Old English. From Old English sċuldor, of uncertain deeper origin, possibly related to "shield".
Is “shoulder” a common word?
“Shoulder” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “shoulder” have?
“Shoulder” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the joint and surrounding area where the arm meets the torso.
What muscles make up the shoulder?
The shoulder is powered by several muscles. The deltoid gives it its rounded shape and lifts the arm. Beneath it, the four rotator cuff muscles stabilize the joint and allow rotation. The trapezius and surrounding back and chest muscles also connect here, making the shoulder one of the body's most mobile joints.
What does 'shoulder' mean as a verb?
As a verb, 'to shoulder' means either to carry something on your shoulder, or, figuratively, to take on a burden or responsibility — 'she shouldered the blame.' It can also mean to push through with the shoulder, as in 'he shouldered his way through the crowd.' The idea of bearing weight runs through each sense.
What is the shoulder of a road?
The shoulder of a road is the strip of land or paving along its edge, beside the main lanes. On highways this is often called the hard shoulder, where vehicles can stop safely in an emergency. The word borrows from the body: it's the supportive edge running alongside the main route.
What is an example of shoulder in a sentence?
'He carried the bag over his shoulder,' or 'She rested her head on his shoulder.' Medically, 'he dislocated his shoulder playing rugby.' Figuratively, 'they had to shoulder the cost.' Each use points back to the joint where the arm meets the body, or the ideas of support and bearing weight.
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