shred

C1 · Advanced Music Slang · Informal

v. to play a musical instrument, especially a guitar, very fast and with great skill.

v. to perform a solo or passage on a musical instrument with extreme speed and technical proficiency, typically in rock or metal genres.

“The lead guitarist started to shred during the final song of the concert.”

“He spent years practicing scales just so he could shred with the same fluid intensity as his heavy metal idols.”

C1 · Advanced Sports Slang · Informal

v. to ride a snowboard, surfboard, or skateboard very fast and aggressively.

v. to navigate a surface such as snow or water with high speed and technical aggression on a board.

“We spent the whole weekend shredding the fresh snow on the mountain.”

“The local surfers headed out at dawn to shred the massive waves brought in by the overnight storm.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a very small piece or a tiny amount of something, like a feeling or evidence.

n. a fragment or a minute quantity; frequently used in negative constructions to emphasize a total lack of something.

“There wasn't a shred of evidence to prove that he had taken the money.”

“Despite the harsh criticism, she didn't show a single shred of doubt regarding her team's ability to finish the project on time.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a long, thin piece that has been cut or torn off from something larger.

n. a long, narrow strip of material, typically fabric or paper, resulting from tearing or cutting.

“The cat tore the curtains into shreds with its claws.”

“The explosion reduced the ceremonial banners to colorful shreds that littered the courtyard.”