Shrug: meaning, definitions and examples

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shrug

 

[ ʃrʌɡ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

body language

To raise and lower your shoulders to show that you do not know or care about something.

Synonyms

gesture, indicate

Examples of usage

  • She just shrugged when I asked her about the meeting.
  • He shrugged his shoulders in response.
Context #2 | Noun

body language

A gesture involving the raising and lowering of one's shoulders, often used to indicate a lack of knowledge or indifference.

Synonyms

gesture, indication

Examples of usage

  • She gave a shrug in response to the question.
  • His shrug conveyed his uncertainty.

Translations

Translations of the word "shrug" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dar de ombros

🇮🇳 कंधे उचका देना

🇩🇪 mit den Schultern zucken

🇮🇩 mengangkat bahu

🇺🇦 знизувати плечима

🇵🇱 wzruszyć ramionami

🇯🇵 肩をすくめる (かたをすくめる)

🇫🇷 hausser les épaules

🇪🇸 encogerse de hombros

🇹🇷 omuz silkmek

🇰🇷 어깨를 으쓱하다

🇸🇦 هز الكتفين

🇨🇿 pokrcení ramen

🇸🇰 pokrčenie ramien

🇨🇳 耸肩 (sǒng jiān)

🇸🇮 skomigniti z rameni

🇮🇸 yppta öxlum

🇰🇿 иығын көтеру

🇬🇪 მხრების აჩქარება

🇦🇿 çiyinlərini çəkmək

🇲🇽 encogerse de hombros

Etymology

The word 'shrug' originated from the Old French word 'esrugier', meaning 'to shirk or avoid'. Over time, it evolved to refer to the specific shoulder-raising gesture that we now know as a shrug. The shrug has become a universal body language signal for uncertainty or indifference.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,936, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.