Shrug Meaning
/ˈʃɹʌɡ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA lifting of the shoulders to signal indifference or a casual lack of knowledge.
nounA cropped, cardigan-like garment with short or long sleeves, typically knitted.
Sentence Examples
She gave a shrug of the shoulders.
Tom answered with another shrug.
CEFR Practice Quiz
When I asked him a difficult question, he just ____ his shoulders.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
When I asked him if he knew the answer, he simply gave a noncommittal ____ and continued with his work.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English schruggen, shrukken, probably of North Germanic origin related to Danish skrugge, skrukke (“to stoop; crouch”), Swedish skruga, skrukka (“to huddle; crouch”), all from or related to Old Norse skrykkva, from Proto-Germanic *skrinkwaną. Compare also Old English scrincan (“to shrink”). More at shrink.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He[…] shrugs his shoulders when you talk of securities."
— 1712 January 12 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, January 2, 1711–1712”, in The Spectator, number 264; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume III, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
When I asked him a difficult question, he just ____ his shoulders.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
When I asked him if he knew the answer, he simply gave a noncommittal ____ and continued with his work.