Shoulder Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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shoulder

[ˈʃoʊl.dər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

body part

The part of the body between the neck and upper arm, consisting of the shoulder blade and the collarbone.

Synonyms

arm, shoulder blade, upper arm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shoulder	Used when referring to the joint connecting your arm to your torso. It also implies the part of the body around this joint. She put her bag over her shoulder. He injured his shoulder during the match.
arm	Refers to the entire upper limb from the shoulder to the wrist. It can be used to talk about both the upper and lower parts including the elbow. He lifted the box with both arms. The baby grabbed his father's arm.
upper arm	Refers to the part of the arm between the shoulder and the elbow. This term is used to be more specific than just 'arm'. He got a bruise on his upper arm. The nurse injected the vaccine into her upper arm.
shoulder blade	Used when specifically referring to the flat bones located on the upper back, also known as scapulae. She felt a sharp pain near her shoulder blade. The tattoo covered his entire shoulder blade.

Examples of usage

She shrugged her shoulders in response.
He carried the heavy box on his shoulder.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

to take responsibility

To take on the responsibility for something; to accept the blame or duty for a particular situation.

Synonyms

accept, bear, carry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shoulder	Similar use as the first 'shoulder', emphasizing taking on responsibilities. They shouldered the blame for the team's failure. We must shoulder the duty to protect our planet.
bear	Use when someone endures a difficult situation, often implying it is heavy or hard to cope with. She had to bear the pain of losing her friend. The workers could hardly bear the harsh working conditions.
carry	Use when someone physically or figuratively transports something from one place to another, be it responsibilities, burdens, or objects. She had to carry all the groceries by herself. He carries the weight of his past mistakes wherever he goes.
accept	Use when someone agrees to receive or take something, whether it's a responsibility, a gift, or a situation. She accepted the job offer with gratitude. He accepted his fate with dignity.

Examples of usage

He decided to shoulder the burden of caring for his sick parent.
She was willing to shoulder the blame for the mistake.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'shoulder'

The word 'shoulder' originated from the Old English word 'sceoldeor', which combined 'sceol' (shoulder) and 'deor' (animal). The term evolved over time to refer to the part of the body between the neck and upper arm. The shoulder has been an important anatomical feature for humans and animals alike, playing a crucial role in movement and strength.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,515, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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