shut

The word “shut” means to close something, such as a door, book, or business. In plain terms, to close something, or the state of being closed.

“Shut” is pronounced shuht (/ʃʌt/ in IPA).

Here is “shut” used in a sentence: “Please shut the window, it's getting cold.”

Depending on how it is used, “shut” can be a verb and an adjective.

The word “shut” comes from Old English. From Old English scyttan, "to bolt or shut," related to the idea of shooting a bolt across a door.

“Shut” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Shut” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to close something, such as a door, book, or business.

The two are usually interchangeable, since both mean to move something into a closed position. "Close" tends to sound slightly more formal or gentle, while "shut" is blunter and more forceful, which is why we slam something shut. "Close" also has figurative uses, such as closing a deal, where "shut" would not fit.

The word itself is neutral: you can shut a door or shut a shop without any rudeness. It only sounds harsh in certain phrases, most famously "shut up," which is an abrupt way of telling someone to be quiet. In everyday use, shutting things is perfectly ordinary and polite.

"Shut" is unusual in that it never changes form: the base, past tense, and past participle are all "shut." You shut the door today, you shut it yesterday, and you have shut it many times before. There is no "shutted." Only the continuous form, "shutting," adds an ending.