Word
shifting
Phoneticsshift·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
UK/ʃˈɪftɪŋ/
Definitions
01constantly changing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. changing often, especially in a way that makes something difficult to rely on.
adj. characterised by frequent change in position, direction, or nature; often implies instability or unreliability.
“The desert is a dangerous place because of the shifting sands.”
“In the shifting political landscape of the late twentieth century, traditional alliances were frequently discarded in favour of pragmatic economic partnerships.”
Synonyms
02the act of moving
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of moving something from one place to another.
n. the process or act of changing the position or orientation of an object or concept.
“The constant shifting of furniture in the apartment above kept me awake.”
“The gradual shifting of tectonic plates over millions of years resulted in the formation of the mountain range we see today.”
Synonyms
03word order change
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Linguistics Technical
n. when parts of a sentence move to a different position than usual.
n. the phenomenon by which two or more constituents appearing on the same side of their common head exchange positions to obtain non-canonical order.
“The professor explained how shifting affects the meaning of the sentence.”
“Heavy NP shifting allows long, complex noun phrases to move to the end of a clause, thereby improving the overall processing flow for the listener.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Stock traders were even less moved by the news, with the major indexes of the biggest companies listed in the US, Europe, and Asia barely shifting.” “Others stressed that simply shifting the recycling costs to producers is not enough.” “Heat is released from the ocean into the atmosphere, lifting global temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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