World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesShrugging
/ˈʃrʌɡ.ɪŋ/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To raise and lower the shoulders, often to indicate ignorance, indifference, or lack of concern.
"When asked about the missing report, she simply shrugged, showing she didn't care." - 2
To express uncertainty or lack of knowledge by performing the gesture of shrugging.
"He shrugged when asked if he would attend the meeting."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The word 'shrug' originates from the Middle English 'shruggen', which is of uncertain origin but possibly related to the Old Norse 'skryggja', meaning to shake or to move. The evolution of the term reflects a gesture of indifference or lack of knowledge, which has been consistent through its historical usage.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Shrugging"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Shrugging" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
hausser les épaules
Transliteration: ozay lay epol
"Elle a haussé les épaules quand on lui a demandé."
schultern zucken
Transliteration: shooltern tsooken
"Er zuckte mit den Schultern, als man ihn fragte."
alzare le spalle
Transliteration: alzare le spalle
"Ha alzato le spalle quando gli è stato chiesto."
encoger los hombros
Transliteration: en-ko-her los om-bros
"Ella encogió los hombros cuando le preguntaron."
encolher os ombros
Transliteration: en-kol-her os om-bros
"Ele encolheu os ombros quando perguntaram."
कंधे उचका
Transliteration: kandhe uchka
"उसने पूछा जाने पर कंधे उचका दिए।"
耸肩
Transliteration: sǒng jiān
"她在被问到时耸了耸肩。"
어깨를 으쓱하다
Transliteration: eokkaereul eusseukhada
"그녀는 물어보자 어깨를 으쓱했다."
肩をすくめる
Transliteration: kata o sukumeru
"彼女は尋ねられたとき肩をすくめた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsThe action of discovering or locating something.
The process of renewing a certification to ensure that an individual meets the current standards or requirements.
A general agreement among the members of a nation regarding a particular issue or policy.
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