shuffle

[shuhf-uhl]

verb (used without object)

shuffled, shuffling 

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

2. to scrape the feet over the floor in dancing.

3. to move clumsily (usually followed byinto ).

   to shuffle into one's clothes.

4. to act underhandedly or evasively with respect to a stated situation (often followed by in, into, orout of ).

   to shuffle out of one's responsibilities.

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

verb (used with object)

shuffled, shuffling 

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

   Synonyms: scuff, scrape, drag

2. to perform (a dance) with such movements.

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

4. to put, thrust, or bring trickily, evasively, or haphazardly (usually followed by in, into, out, etc.).

   to shuffle one's way into favor.

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

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

noun

1. a scraping movement; dragging gait.

2. an evasive trick; evasion.

3. an act or instance of shuffling.

4. Cards.

   1. a shuffling of cards in a pack.

   2. the right or turn to shuffle preparatory to dealing.

      You win the shuffle.

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

verb phrase

1. shuffle off

   1. to thrust aside; get rid of.

   2. to move away by, or as if by, shuffling.

      They shuffled off to school with little enthusiasm.

shuffle

/ ˈʃʌfəl /

verb

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

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

3. (tr) to mix together in a careless manner

   he shuffled the papers nervously

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

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

6. to move or cause to move clumsily

   he shuffled out of the door

7. (intr) to dance the shuffle

noun

1. the act or an instance of shuffling

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

Other Word Forms

• shuffler noun
• reshuffle verb
• unshuffled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shuffle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of shuffle¹

C16: probably from Low German schüffeln; see _shove

Example Sentences

In the note, first reported by The Times, the couple said they were "sorry not to have mentioned it, but when you receive this email we will have shuffled off this mortal coil".

From BBC

Eventually, the U.S. team shuffled into an interview room.

From Los Angeles Times

A little girl in the crowd screamed in delight when, in a twist, the turtle shuffled away from the sea and toward the people gathered on the sand.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the risks, a steady line of weary, storm-battered hikers shuffled down from the High Sierra at the Mt.

From Los Angeles Times

Tariffs may have been put in place to bolster American companies, she said, but “at the core of it, it feels like small business owners are getting lost in the shuffle.”

From Salon

Related Words

• drag 
• limp 
• straggle 
• stumble