shirk
[ shurk ]
/ ʃɜrk /
verb (used with object)
to evade (work, duty, responsibility, etc.).
verb (used without object)
to evade work, duty, etc.
noun
a shirker.
Nearby words
shiraz, shire, shire highlands, shire horse, shirer, shirk, shirker, shirleen, shirley, shirley poppy, shirley temple
Origin of shirk
First recorded in 1625–35; obscurely akin to shark2
Related formsun·shirked, adjectiveun·shirk·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for shirk
British Dictionary definitions for shirk (1 of 2)
shirk
1/ (ʃɜːk) /
verb
to avoid discharging (work, a duty, etc); evade
noun Also: shirker
a person who shirks
Word Origin for shirk
C17: probably from German Schurke rogue; see shark ²
British Dictionary definitions for shirk (2 of 2)
shirk
2/ (ʃɪːk) /
noun
Islam
- the fundamental sin of regarding anything as equal to Allah
- any belief that is considered to be in opposition to Allah and Islam
Word Origin for shirk
from Arabic: association
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for shirk
shirk
1630s, "to practice fraud or trickery," also a noun (1630s, now obsolete) "a needy, disreputable parasite" [OED], perhaps from German schurke "scoundrel, rogue, knave, villain" (see shark (n.)). Sense of "evade one's work or duty" first recorded 1785, originally in slang. Related: Shirked; shirking.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper