shorn
Americanverb
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Explanation
If something is shorn, it's trimmed, clipped, or shaved. A shorn sheep is considerably less fluffy than one that isn't shorn. If your brother gets his curls closely cropped, you can describe him as shorn, and you can also say your weedy front lawn is shorn once you've barreled through it with a lawnmower. This adjective, however, is most often applied to wooly animals. Shorn sheep may look cold and skinny, but thoughtful shearers won't leave them in this state during the chilly months.
Vocabulary lists containing shorn
Nowhere Boy
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Every Falling Star
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Wolf Hollow
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“This Is Not About Running” is Ms. Cain’s aptly titled memoir, as the book is shorn of any joy or fulfillment typically found in sports narratives.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
Ann Van Eetvelt, a specialist from Lurgan Sheep Vet in Aberfeldy, says there are a number of potential animal welfare issues which arise from not being shorn.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
Examining a song’s lyrics shorn of the music can highlight the themes that a songwriter such as Johnny Cash or John Darnielle returns to over time.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025
Power lines were down and trees were shorn of all leaves.
From Barron's • Nov. 2, 2025
The shorn hair falls on my feet and shoulders, itching whatever bare skin it finds.
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
