How to pronounce shift
Say it like SHIFT. Shift is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- SHIFT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shift pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHIFTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of shift
American and British speakers say shift in essentially the same way: /ʃɪft/ in the US and /ʃɪft/ in the UK.
British respelling: SHIFT.
What does shift mean?
- A movement to do something, a beginning.
- An act of shifting; a slight movement or change.“There was a shift in the political atmosphere.”
- A simple straight-hanging, loose-fitting dress.
- To move from one place to another; to redistribute.“We'll have to shift these boxes to the downtown office.”
- To change in form or character; switch.
- To change position; to move.“She shifted slightly in her seat.”
Where does shift come from?
The noun is from Middle English schyft, shyffte.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
- unshift
Words that rhyme with shift
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shift.
Questions about saying shift
How do you pronounce shift?
Say SHIFT. The American pronunciation is /ʃɪft/. In British English it is /ʃɪft/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shift?
Shift is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SHIFT.
Do Americans and Brits say shift the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ʃɪft/ and the British form is /ʃɪft/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.