shift
gb/ʃˈɪft/ us/ʃˈɪft/
A2
English
~ 2700
elmozdít, helyezkedik, átvált, átáll, műszak, váltókar, váltás, eltolódás, fordulat
VERB
B1
1
elmozdít
B1
helyezkedik
B1
Usage pattern:
to shift [something] [somewhere]
She shifted her bag from one shoulder to the other.
Áttette a táskáját az egyik válláról a másikra.
Please shift the chair a little to the left.
Kérlek, told a széket egy kicsit balra.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
The wind shifted suddenly toward the east.
Learner examples
I shifted my chair closer to the table.
Közelebb húztam a székemet az asztalhoz.
She shifted her body to look at me.
Elmozdította a testét, hogy rám tudjon nézni.
He shifted the box to the corner.
The cat shifted on the bed.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shift' with 'switch'; 'shift' refers to physical movement or slight change in position, while 'switch' often means replacing one thing with another.
Meaning
to move or change position
Collocations
shift position
|shift focus
|shift weight
|shift direction
Synonyms
move (A more general term for changing position, without implying a small or subtle change.)
Antonyms
stay (Means to remain in the same place without moving.)
Themes
daily life
|movement
|core_vocabulary
|space
Definition
To move yourself or something to another place or position.
To move something or oneself from one place, position, or direction to another, often slightly.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to shift from [something] to [something]
The conversation shifted from politics to sports.
A beszélgetés a politikáról a sportra terelődött.
We need to shift our marketing strategy.
Át kell állítanunk a marketingstratégiánkat.
Her mood shifted after hearing the news.
The company is shifting its focus toward renewable energy.
Learner examples
I shifted from reading to writing.
Az olvasásról írásra váltottam.
They shifted their plan to help more people.
Úgy módosították a tervüket, hogy több embernek tudjanak segíteni.
The teacher shifted the lesson to a new topic.
He shifted his attention to the baby.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'shift' with 'change'; 'shift' often implies a smooth or gradual change rather than a sudden one.
Meaning
to change focus or direction
Collocations
shift attention
|shift priorities
|shift strategy
|shift attitude
Synonyms
switch (Similar meaning, but often used more for complete replacements rather than gradual changes.)
Antonyms
maintain (Means to keep the same focus or state without changing.)
Themes
work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To start doing or thinking about something different.
To change from one state, subject, activity, or way of thinking to another.
NOUN
A2
3
műszak
B1
I’m working the night shift this week.
Ezen a héten éjszakai műszakban dolgozom.
Her shift starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
A műszakja reggel 8-kor kezdődik és délután 4-kor ér véget.
They changed shifts at midnight.
He asked his manager for an earlier shift.
Learner examples
I work the morning shift.
Reggeli műszakban dolgozom.
She has a long shift today.
Ma hosszú műszakja van.
He is on the night shift.
My shift ends at five o’clock.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shift' with 'turn'; in work contexts, 'shift' is about scheduled work hours, not taking turns in conversation or games.
Meaning
a set period of work time
Collocations
day shift
|night shift
|work shift
|shift schedule
Synonyms
duty period (More formal and specific to certain fields like aviation or law enforcement.)
Antonyms
off-duty (Refers to a time when someone is not working.)
Themes
work
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A period of time when someone works at their job.
A set period of time during which a person works as part of a schedule that rotates among workers.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
He reached for the gear shift.
A váltókarért nyúlt.
Smooth shifts are important when driving a manual car.
Kézi váltós autónál fontosak a finom, egyenletes váltások.
The car made a loud noise during the shift from second to third gear.
Learner examples
He moved the shift into first gear.
Első sebességbe tette a váltót.
I can drive a car with a manual shift.
Tudok kézi váltós autót vezetni.
She made a quick shift while driving.
Meaning
gear-changing mechanism or action
Collocations
gear shift
|manual shift
|shift lever
Synonyms
gear change (A more descriptive phrase often used in British English.)
Antonyms
neutral gear (Refers to not being in any driving gear.)
Themes
transportation
|technology
Definition
The part of a car used to change gears, or the act of changing them.
The mechanism or act of changing gears in a vehicle.
NOUN
B2
5
There has been a major shift in public opinion.
Jelentős eltolódás történt a közvéleményben.
We noticed a shift toward healthier eating habits.
Észrevettünk egy eltolódást az egészségesebb étkezési szokások felé.
The report highlights a significant policy shift.
Learner examples
There is a shift in the weather.
Változás áll be az időjárásban.
We saw a big shift in sales this year.
Idén nagy fordulatot láttunk az eladásokban.
They made a shift in their plan.
Meaning
a change in position or tendency
Collocations
paradigm shift
|cultural shift
|policy shift
Synonyms
change (More general; 'shift' may suggest a less abrupt change.)
Antonyms
continuity (Refers to things staying the same over time.)
Themes
society
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A change in how something happens or is done.
A change in the way something is done, thought about, or directed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shift
IPA
GB/ʃˈɪft/
US/ʃˈɪft/
Syllables & stress
shift (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (shift)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shift
- Plural: shifts
Verb
- Base: shift
- 3rd Person Singular: shifts
- Present Participle: shifting
- Past: shifted
Word family
Forms
shifts
noun
shifting
verb
shifted
verb
Related words
shifter
noun
shifty
adjective
Advanced or less common
shiftless
adjective
Expressions
day shift
1/dˈeɪ ʃˈɪft/
fixed phrase
work period during the day
A period of work that happens during daylight hours.
Examples
- I prefer working the day shift so I can be home at night.
- The day shift hands over duties to the night crew at 6 p.m.
graveyard shift
1/ɡɹˈeɪvjˌɑɹd ʃˈɪft/
fixed phrase
late-night work period
A work shift that takes place during the night, usually from late night to early morning.
Examples
- He works the graveyard shift at the hospital.
- Few people want to take the graveyard shift because it disrupts sleep patterns.
night shift
1/nˈaɪt ʃˈɪft/
fixed phrase
work period at night
A period of work that happens during the night hours.
Examples
- She is on the night shift this week.
- The factory runs 24 hours with day and night shifts.
shift gears
1/ʃˈɪft ɡˈɪɹz/
idiom
change approach quickly
To suddenly start doing something in a different way.
Examples
- Halfway through the project, we had to shift gears and try a new plan.
- After discussing budgets, the meeting shifted gears to talk about hiring new staff.
- After lunch, the teacher shifted gears to a different topic.
- When the project stalled, we had to shift gears and try another method.