verb
shrug
SHRUHG
verb
1
To raise the shoulders briefly to show indifference, uncertainty, or a lack of concern.
"He just shrugged when asked why he was late."
noun
1
The gesture of raising the shoulders to show indifference or uncertainty.
"She answered the question with a shrug."
2
A short, cropped, cardigan-like garment.
"She wore a knitted shrug over her sleeveless dress."
How to Use Shrug
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lift your shoulders to show you don't know or don't care, or a short cropped cardigan.
Common pairings
shrug it off
shrug your shoulders
a casual shrug
Word Forms
shrugged past tense, shrugs plural, shrugs singular
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Etymology
From Middle English schruggen, probably of North Germanic origin, related to words meaning "to stoop or crouch."