Meaning & Definition of word "Shirk"

Shirk

/ʃɜrk/

verb:

  • 1. to evade work, duty, or responsibility
    • Example: He tried to shirk his responsibilities by blaming others for his mistakes.
  • 2. to avoid a task or duty, especially out of laziness or fear
    • Example: She always shirks her chores, leaving them for her siblings to complete.
  • 3. to escape or avoid (something undesirable)
    • Example: The student attempted to shirk the exam by claiming to be sick.

Etymology

Middle English shirken, from shirk (verb) 'to evade or shrink from'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

shirk one's responsibilities:

to avoid fulfilling one's duties.

shirk and shirk:

to constantly avoid responsibilities.

Related Words

evade:

to escape or avoid something, especially by cleverness or trickery.

neglect:

to fail to care for or attend to something properly.

Slang Meanings of shirk

Meaning: Cutting corners

Example Sentence: He was cutting corners on his project, trying to shirk work.

Meaning: Slacking off

Example Sentence: She was just slacking off instead of studying for the exam.