shuffle

[ shuhf-uhl ]

/ ˈʃʌf əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shuffle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), shuf·fled, shuf·fling.

to walk without lifting the feet or with clumsy steps and a shambling gait.

to scrape the feet over the floor in dancing.

to move clumsily (usually followed by into): to shuffle into one's clothes.

to act underhandedly or evasively with respect to a stated situation (often followed by in, into, or out of): to shuffle out of one's responsibilities.

to intermix so as to change the relative positions of cards in a pack.

verb (used with object), shuf·fled, shuf·fling.

to move (one's feet) along the ground or floor without lifting them.

to perform (a dance) with such movements.

to move (an object or objects) this way and that.

to put, thrust, or bring trickily, evasively, or haphazardly (usually followed by in, into, out, etc.): to shuffle one's way into favor.

to mix (cards in a pack) so as to change the relative positions.

to jumble together, mix, or interchange the positions of (objects).

noun

a scraping movement; dragging gait.

an evasive trick; evasion.

an act or instance of shuffling.

Cards.

a shuffling of cards in a pack.
the right or turn to shuffle preparatory to dealing: You win the shuffle.

a dance in which the feet are shuffled along the floor.

Verb Phrases

shuffle off,

to thrust aside; get rid of.
to move away by, or as if by, shuffling: They shuffled off to school with little enthusiasm.

Nearby words

shucking and jiving, shucks, shudder, shuddering, shudra, shuffle, shuffle off, shuffle play, shuffleboard, shuffler, shuffling

Origin of shuffle

1525–35; < Low German schuffeln to walk clumsily or with dragging feet, mix (cards); akin to shovel

SYNONYMS FOR shuffle

6 drag, scrape, scuff.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shuffle ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·shuf·fle, verb re·shuf·fled, re·shuf·fling, nounun·shuf·fled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for shuffle

Obama has latched on to the failure of the embargo to topple the Castros as justification to shuffle the deck.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He instead had to work for it, fake it, steal it, copy it, shuffle and fight.
The Stacks: How Leonard Chess Helped Make Muddy Waters|Alex Belth|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One thing is clear: The shuffle to replace Cantor has already begun.
Horse-Trading to Replace Eric Cantor as House Majority Leader Begins|Ron Christie|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He started to shuffle the cards and Mortson pulled up a chair.
Gordie Howe Hockey’s Greatest War Horse|W.C. Heinz|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This was not the shuffle of 1966 but the shuffle of an overweight former athlete in perfect health.
The Stacks: The True Greatness of Muhammad Ali|Peter Richmond|February 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For answer Chris began to shuffle himself back, moving on hands and toes till he was level with Ned.
The Peril Finders|George Manville Fenn
He reached out, poured himself a shot, swallowed it, and got up to shuffle about the confined quarters.
The Best Short Stories of 1915|Various
Make the pass a second time, bring it to the top, and shuffle the cards without displacing those on the top.
Endless Amusement|Unknown
The dealer's partner must collect the cards for the ensuing deal, and he has the first right to shuffle that pack.
The Laws of Euchre|H. C. Leeds
Stan heard the shuffle of feet outside in the hall and knew armed guards were waiting.
A Yankee Flier Over Berlin|Al Avery

British Dictionary definitions for shuffle

shuffle

/ (ˈʃʌfəl) /

verb

to walk or move (the feet) with a slow dragging motion

to change the position of (something), esp quickly or in order to deceive others

(tr) to mix together in a careless mannerhe shuffled the papers nervously

to mix up (cards in a pack) to change their order

(intr) to behave in an awkward, evasive, or underhand manner; equivocate

(when intr, often foll by into or out of) to move or cause to move clumsilyhe shuffled out of the door

(intr) to dance the shuffle

noun

the act or an instance of shuffling

a dance or dance step with short dragging movements of the feet

Derived Forms

shuffler, noun

Word Origin for shuffle

C16: probably from Low German schüffeln; see shove

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012