shrug
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
-
the movement of raising and contracting the shoulders.
-
a short sweater or jacket that ends above or at the waistline.
verb phrase
verb
noun
-
the gesture so made
-
a woman's short jacket or close-fitting cardigan
Other Word Forms
- unshrugging adjective
Etymology
Origin of shrug
1350–1400; (v.) Middle English schruggen to shudder, shrug < ?; (noun) late Middle English shrugge a tug, pull, derivative of the v.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At that awards show, when former Times columnist Amy Kaufman — then recently engaged herself — asked the “Dune” actor flat-out if she was engaged, Zendaya flashed her ring, smiled coyly and shrugged her shoulders.
From Los Angeles Times
A decision by major crude producers over the weekend to lift output by 206,000 barrels per day starting in April appeared to be largely shrugged off by the oil market.
From MarketWatch
Something soft fell into my lap—my uniform jacket—and I looked up at Professor Brown and smiled my thanks as I shrugged it on over goose-bump-riddled shoulders.
From Literature
The sweet, slightly feral smell of soil shrugging off ice.
From Salon
It's not like Rangers folk will shrug in defeat - it's not exactly their style - but Celtic fans are an angrier and more frustrated crew right now.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
