English Meaning & Definitions
To cast off or let fall (hair, skin, leaves, or antlers) as part of a natural growth process.
- “The trees begin to shed their leaves as autumn approaches.”
- “Many dogs shed their fur heavily during the spring season.”
To get rid of something that is no longer wanted or needed.
- “The company is looking to shed its unprofitable divisions.”
- “She managed to shed a few pounds before the wedding.”
A simple roofed structure, typically made of wood or metal, used for storage or as a workshop.
- “He keeps his lawnmower and gardening tools in the backyard shed.”
- “We spent the afternoon organizing the clutter in the tool shed.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “shed”.
Derived from the Old English 'scēadan' (to divide, separate, or distinguish), which is cognate with the Old Saxon 'skēthan' and Old High German 'sceidan'. The noun sense of a 'shed' as a building evolved from the idea of a 'separated' or 'partitioned' structure, while the verb sense of 'casting off' (like skin or leaves) evolved from the notion of 'dividing' or 'parting' from the main body.
Think of a snake 'shedding' its skin; it is 'shedding' (separating) itself from its old layer.
Frequently Asked Questions About “shed”
1. What is the meaning of “shed” in English?
In English, shed (verb) is defined as: “To cast off or let fall (hair, skin, leaves, or antlers) as part of a natural growth process.”.
2. How do you use “shed” in a sentence?
“The trees begin to shed their leaves as autumn approaches.”
3. What are English synonyms of “shed”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “shed”?
Derived from the Old English 'scēadan' (to divide, separate, or distinguish), which is cognate with the Old Saxon 'skēthan' and Old High German 'sceidan'. The noun sense of a 'shed' as a building evolved from the idea of a 'separated' or 'partitioned' structure, while the verb sense of 'casting off' (like skin or leaves) evolved from the notion of 'dividing' or 'parting' from the main body.
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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