noun Uncommon

shred

shrehd

Shred (noun) means a small torn or cut strip or fragment of something. Example: “The dog left the newspaper in shreds all over the kitchen floor.”

noun

A small torn or cut strip or fragment of something.

"The dog left the newspaper in shreds all over the kitchen floor."

"There isn't a shred of evidence to support the claim."

verb

To cut or tear something into narrow strips or small pieces.

"She shredded the lettuce for the salad."

"He shredded the old bank statements before throwing them out."

How to use shred

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small torn strip of something, or the act of tearing/cutting something into such strips.

Common mistake

"Not a shred of" is a fixed phrase meaning "not even the smallest amount" — used almost always with evidence, doubt, or truth.

Common pairings

not a shred of evidence shred documents shredded cheese

Word forms

more shred comparative, shredded past tense, shred past tense, shreds plural, shred plural, shredded plural, shreds singular, shred singular, shredded singular, shreddest singular, shreddedst singular, shreddeth singular, most shred superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The dog left the newspaper in _____ all over the kitchen floor.

Etymology

From Old English screade ("a piece cut off"), related to Proto-Germanic roots meaning "to cut."

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for shred

red cred Fred

See all rhymes for shred →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shred” mean?

The word “shred” means a small torn or cut strip or fragment of something. In plain terms, a small torn strip of something, or the act of tearing/cutting something into such strips.

How do you pronounce “shred”?

“Shred” is pronounced shrehd (/ʃɹɛd/ in IPA).

How do you use “shred” in a sentence?

Here is “shred” used in a sentence: “The dog left the newspaper in shreds all over the kitchen floor.”

What part of speech is “shred”?

Depending on how it is used, “shred” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “shred” come from?

The word “shred” comes from Old English. From Old English screade ("a piece cut off"), related to Proto-Germanic roots meaning "to cut.".

Is “shred” a common word?

“Shred” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “shred” have?

“Shred” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small torn or cut strip or fragment of something.