shut
shuht
Shut (verb) means to close something, such as a door, book, or business. Example: “Remember to shut the gate behind you when you leave.”
verb
1
To close something, such as a door, book, or business.
"Remember to shut the gate behind you when you leave."
"Please shut the window, it's getting cold."
"The shop shuts at six on weekdays."
adj
1
Closed.
"The windows were shut tight against the winter wind."
"All the shops were shut because of the public holiday."
"The door was shut when we arrived."
How to use shut
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo close something, or the state of being closed.
Common pairings
shut the door
shut down
shut up
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like shut.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- shuts
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Remember to _____ the gate behind you when you leave.
Etymology
From Old English scyttan, "to bolt or shut," related to the idea of shooting a bolt across a door.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for shut
See all rhymes for shut →Frequently asked questions
What does “shut” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “shut”?
“Shut” is pronounced shuht (/ʃʌt/ in IPA).
How do you use “shut” in a sentence?
Here is “shut” used in a sentence: “Please shut the window, it's getting cold.”
What part of speech is “shut”?
Depending on how it is used, “shut” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “shut” come from?
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.
Is “shut” a common word?
“Shut” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “shut” have?
“Shut” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to close something, such as a door, book, or business.
What is the difference between "shut" and "close"?
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.
Is "shut" rude or impolite?
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.
What is the past tense of "shut"?
"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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include shut:
