English Explanatory Dictionary

shirk

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
  2. To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.
  3. To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.
noun
  1. One who shirks, who avoids a duty or responsibility.
noun
  1. The unforgivable sin of association (claiming something or someone can share in the oneness of God).
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

shûk /ʃɜːk/ shûrk /ʃɝk/ en-us-shirk.ogg /ʃɪɾk/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-shirk (Islam).wav

Word forms

shirk shirks shirking shirked

Etymology

First use appears c. 1633, in the publications of Shackerley Marmion, apparently from association with shark (verb), or otherwise directly from German Schurke (“rogue, knave”).

Synonyms

shrink blow off cop out dog doss duck flinch goldbrick goof off lollygag malinger procrastinate shirk slack off soldier swing the lead weasel out dodger

Related words

lazy idler truancy mushrik

Derived words

multishirk shirker shirky unshirking
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