Hii! I think the explanations people have given you are more than enough, so my comment is more general... You will always find words have more than one meaning, this is very common because this way languages become more efficient. My recommendatio is that you start using a dictionary like : https://www.wordreference.com/ which tells you the meanings of a word in the order of popularity and also gives you lots of examples!!! Congratularions on starting your english learning journey!! I wish you the best!! Answer from eclecticenglishexp on reddit.com
shift
/shĭft/
noun
  1. A change from one person or configuration to another; a substitution.
  2. A group of workers that relieve another on a regular schedule.
  3. The working period of such a group.
    worked the night shift.
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition. More at Wordnik
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Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › dictionary › shift
SHIFT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
1 week ago - The meaning of SHIFT is to exchange for or replace by another : change. How to use shift in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Shift.
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Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary › english › shift
SHIFT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
SHIFT meaning: 1. to (cause something or someone to) move or change from one position or direction to another…. Learn more.
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Vocabulary.com
vocabulary.com › dictionary › shift
Shift - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
Shift the verb and shift the noun are very similar in meaning. A shift is a change in something or an adjustment in the way something is done. You can either make a shift (that's the noun), or you can just shift (that's the verb).
Discussions

Can someone explain me how and where to use the word "shift"?
Hii! I think the explanations people have given you are more than enough, so my comment is more general... You will always find words have more than one meaning, this is very common because this way languages become more efficient. My recommendatio is that you start using a dictionary like : https://www.wordreference.com/ which tells you the meanings of a word in the order of popularity and also gives you lots of examples!!! Congratularions on starting your english learning journey!! I wish you the best!! More on reddit.com
🌐 r/learnEnglishOnline
4
2
April 21, 2024
Tone shift in relationships from 요 to 여 meaning? : Living_in_Korea
🌐 r/Living_in_Korea
What does this shift click symbol mean? Seems to stop movement but how is it useful? : doorkickers
What does this shift click symbol mean? Seems to stop movement but how is it useful?Door Kickers 2 (i.redd.it) ... Post a comment! ... Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. © 2025 reddit inc. More on old.reddit.com
🌐 r/doorkickers
What was your paradigm shift in life?
When I realised that society doesn't care about me as a young man, that I need to take care of myself because no one else is going to help me or care what happens to me. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/AskMen
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March 23, 2023
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Dictionary.com
dictionary.com › browse › shift
SHIFT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
SHIFT definition: to put (something) aside and replace it by another or others; change or exchange. See examples of shift used in a sentence.
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RNZ
rnz.co.nz › news › national › 588247 › ai-can-slowly-shift-an-organisation-s-core-principles-how-to-spot-value-drift-early
AI can slowly shift an organisation's core principles. How to spot 'value drift' early | RNZ News
3 days ago - But over time, responsiveness may come to mean instant, AI-generated replies rather than careful, human judgment. The meaning of good service quietly shifts.
Find elsewhere
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Encyclopedia Britannica
britannica.com › dictionary › shift
Shift Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
SHIFT meaning: 1 : to move or to cause (something or someone) to move to a different place, position, etc.; 2 : to change or to cause (something) to change to a different opinion, belief, etc.
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Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary › english › shift
SHIFT definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary
the act of shifting from one person, place, position, etc. to another; change; transfer; substitution · 13. a means or plan of conduct, esp. one followed in an emergency or difficulty; expedient; stratagem · 14. a deceitful scheme or method; ...
Published   December 20, 2017
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YouTube
youtube.com › iswearenglish
🔵 Shift - Shift Meaning - Shift Examples - Shift Definition - YouTube
Shift - Shift Meaning - Shift Examples - Shift Definitionhttp://www.iswearenglish.com/ https://www.facebook.com/iswearenglish https://twitter.com/iswearengli...
Published   May 19, 2020
Views   2K
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnenglishonline › can someone explain me how and where to use the word "shift"?
r/learnEnglishOnline on Reddit: Can someone explain me how and where to use the word "shift"?
April 21, 2024 -

I've been started to learn English by myself (btw in this moment I'm not using the translator, so I'm sorry any error) and I'm stuck in this word, because it has so many meanings for differents situations. And I'm confused, I can't understand.

Top answer
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The word "shift" can be used in several ways: As a verb: To change position: "He shifted in his seat." To change the time or schedule: "We need to shift the meeting to Thursday." To change focus or topic: "Let's shift our discussion to a new topic." As a noun: A period of work time: "She works the night shift at the hospital." A change or movement: "There was a significant shift in policy." You can use "shift" in these contexts depending on what you want to express, either a change or a movement in time, position, or focus. P.S. I am also starting a YouTube channel and will post new videos every couple of days. Each video will be sentences you can practice and listen to, and the words being spoken are highlighted. I recommend you check it out for easy listening practice! Each video will have a topic / theme. If there are themes are you are interested in (grammar, or vocabulary), please let me know -- it will be very helpful for me! Cheers :) https://youtu.be/BlPQWmccMoI?si=c2HBCd7QDfViGepx
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Besides what's been said, It usually means change, as in change something from one place to another, but it usually implies a sudden thing, like shifting moods would be mood changes for example. It's also used when talking about shapes, as in the word "shapeshifter" in some fantastic like way, changing from a human into an animal. Then you have the word shifty that could be an adjective to refer to someone who's shady or has some hidden motives or bad intentions.
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Wiktionary
en.wiktionary.org › wiki › shift
shift - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
But this I dare auow of all those Schoole-men, that though they were exceeding wittie, yet they better teach all their Followers to shift, then to resolue, by their distinctions. (intransitive, music) In violin-playing, to move the left hand from its original position next to the nut. (intransitive) To use meditation or other means to change the reality that one's consciousness resides in.
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WordReference
wordreference.com › english dictionary › shift
shift - WordReference.com Dictionary of English
shift - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.
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Longman
ldoceonline.com › dictionary › shift
shift | meaning of shift in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE
ift (=big and noticeable)There has been a significant shift in government policy on education.a fundamental shift (=a complete change)A fundamental shift in attitudes was underway.a sudden shiftShe immediately picked up his sudden shifts of mood.a dramatic shift (=a big and sudden change)Increased spending on the armed forces marks a dramatic shift in priorities.a small/slight shiftThere has been only a slight shift in income distribution.a gradual shiftThere has been a gradual shift in people’s attitudes towards cars.a subtle shift (=a change which is small and not easy to notice)Recently t
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Wordsmyth
kids.wordsmyth.net › we
shift | definition for kids | Wordsmyth Word Explorer Children's Dictionary; WILD dictionary K-2 | Wordsmyth
to change one's position, or to move from one place to another. : to move (something or someone); change the position of. : to change (gears) from one position to another.... See the full definition
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Indeed
indeed.com › career guide › finding a job › what is a work shift? definition, types and benefits
What Is a Work Shift? Definition, Types and Benefits | Indeed.com
December 19, 2025 - Transportation: Airline pilots, taxi or bus drivers and train or subway operators may all work second or third shift to service travelers and complete longer routes. For example, some flights can last 14 hours or more, meaning the pilots must work overnight to accommodate longer itineraries.Read more: 11 Types of Work Shifts and Types for Your Business
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TheFreeDictionary.com
thefreedictionary.com › shift
Shift - definition of shift by The Free Dictionary
Idioms: make do, make shift.noun · 1. The act of exchanging or substituting: change, commutation, exchange, interchange, substitution, switch, trade, transposition. Informal: swap.
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Quora
quora.com › What-does-something-shifts-mean
What does 'something shifts ' mean? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): Think of a kaleidoscope. You look through the viewing end and you see a pattern made of tiny coloured pieces of mosaic or whatever, created by the repetitive effect of many tiny mirrors. You give the barrel a slight twist or shake and the pattern changes dramatically. These toys...
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Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › shift
SHIFT Synonyms: 232 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
2 weeks ago - Some common synonyms of shift are expedient, makeshift, resort, resource, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.
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Oxford English Dictionary
oed.com › dictionary › shift_v
shift, v. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
There are 61 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb shift, 22 of which are labelled obsolete.