Word
shoulders
Phoneticsshoul·ders, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃoʊɫdɝz/
UK/ʃˈəʊldəz/
Definitions
01body parts
A1 · Beginner Plural noun Medicine
n. the two parts of your body between your neck and the top of your arms.
n. the anatomical regions where the upper limbs attach to the trunk.
“He carried the small child on his shoulders so she could see the parade.”
“The athlete suffered a minor injury to his left shoulder during the final minutes of the championship match.”
02responsibility
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun
n. the ability to deal with a difficult task or blame.
n. the capacity to bear a burden, task, or moral responsibility.
“The young manager has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders.”
“The CEO felt the weight of the entire company's future resting on his shoulders during the merger negotiations.”
Synonyms
03to take on a burden
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to accept a difficult job or responsibility.
v. to take on or accept a burden or responsibility; often used metaphorically.
“She had to shoulder the cost of the repairs herself.”
“In the absence of clear leadership, the junior partner was forced to shoulder the blame for the project's eventual failure.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and usually takes an abstract noun like 'blame' or 'cost' as an object.
Antonyms
Idioms
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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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