shrug

[shruhg]

verb (used with object)

shrugged, shrugging 

1. to raise and contract (the shoulders), expressing indifference, disdain, etc.

verb (used without object)

shrugged, shrugging 

1. to raise and contract the shoulders.

noun

1. the movement of raising and contracting the shoulders.

2. a short sweater or jacket that ends above or at the waistline.

verb phrase

1. shrug off

   1. to disregard; minimize.

      to shrug off an insult.

   2. to rid oneself of.

      to shrug off the effects of a drug.

shrug

/ ʃrʌɡ /

verb

1. to draw up and drop (the shoulders) abruptly in a gesture expressing indifference, contempt, ignorance, etc

noun

1. the gesture so made

2. a woman's short jacket or close-fitting cardigan

Other Word Forms

• unshrugging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrug¹

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English schruggen to shudder, shrug < ?; (noun) late Middle English shrugge a tug, pull, derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrug¹

C14: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

But businesses in Tokyo largely shrugged off any anxiety.

Read more on Barron's

For most of the past decade and a half, stocks have boomed, shrugging off every decline.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He was quiet for a moment, then shrugged off his mood with ease, the way one might shrug off a coat upon coming indoors.

Read more on Literature

But none of the children could remember how to say “armoire,” and they finally just shrugged and patted their arms in explanation.

Read more on Literature

Beowulf shrugged but made no argument, for he too had grown fond of Nutsawoo.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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• bump 
• fling 
• flop 
• hurtle 
• jolt 
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• thrust 
• tug 
• twitch 
• wiggle 
• wrench 
• wriggle 
• wring 
• yank