How to pronounce shirk
Say it like SHURK. Shirk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shirk. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHURK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shirk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHURKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of shirk
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHURK.
What does shirk mean?
- To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
- To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.“If you have a job, don't shirk from it by staying off work.”
- To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.
- One who shirks, who avoids a duty or responsibility.
- The unforgivable sin of association (claiming something or someone can share in the oneness of God).
Where does shirk come from?
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”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with shirk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shirk.
Questions about saying shirk
How do you pronounce shirk?
Say SHURK. The American pronunciation is /ʃɝk/. In British English it is /ʃɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shirk?
Shirk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SHURK.
Is shirk pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ʃɜːk/ (SHURK).