WordGarden.ioshut
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃˈʌt/
US
- /ˈʃət/
Meanings
Verb
to close something or move into a closed position
to stop operating, trading, or allowing access
Adjective
closed; not open to entry, passage, or view
Beyond the definition
To shut something is to close it firmly or to stop it from working. You might shut a door to keep the cold out, or shut your mouth when you have said too much. It can also mean to turn something off, like shutting down a computer at the end of the day. Sometimes, "shut" means something stops for business or ends fully; a store can be shut, and a company can shut its doors. You can also shut out noise, light, or other people.
The word often carries a sense of finality. "Close" can sound gentle, but "shut" often sounds firmer and more definite. It can describe a real action, like shutting a window, or a wider ending, like shutting down a service or shutting someone up.
The word "shut" seems simple enough: it is about closing, blocking, or stopping something. Most often, it describes a firm act of closing. You might shut a window against a storm, shut a book when you are finished reading, or shut a gate behind you. It can also describe a state, as in the door is shut or her eyes were shut.
Beyond physical objects, "shut" is common when something stops operating. You can shut down a machine, a computer, or a whole system. A factory, school, or business might be shut for the day, or it might shut down for good. You can also shut off the water, gas, or electricity, and shut out noise, light, distractions, or even other people.
In more figurative use, "shut" suggests cutting something off or bringing it to an end. To shut someone up is to make them stop talking, usually in a rude or sudden way. A person might shut off their feelings, or try to shut out painful thoughts. Someone in power may try to shut down criticism or debate by refusing to let it continue.
The power of "shut" lies in its sense of finality and control. It is not just about stopping something; it often suggests doing so clearly and deliberately. Whether it is a door, a shop, a machine, or a conversation, "shut" usually means that access, activity, or expression has been brought to an end.
Examples
- 1
Everyday request
Please shut the door behind you.
- 2
Devices
She shut her laptop and stood up from the desk.
- 3
Opening hours
The museum is shut on Mondays.
- Patternbe shut
be closed, not open
- 4
Body movement
He shut his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Temporary closure
They had to shut the shop for a week after the flood.
- Patternshut + place/business + for a time
stop it from opening or operating
- 6
Being alone
After the argument, she shut herself in her room.
- Patternshut yourself in
stay alone inside a room or house
- 7
Emotional exclusion
I tried to talk to him, but he completely shut me out.
- Patternshut someone out
stop someone from sharing your thoughts, feelings, or activities
- 8
Project failure
One serious mistake could shut the whole project down.
- Patternshut something down
make it stop operating completely
- 9
Emotional reaction
He tends to shut down when the conversation gets too personal.
- 10
Rude command
Shut up for a second and let her finish.
- Cautionshut up
stop talking; often rude
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- shutverbadjective
Forms
- shutting-ing formverbadjective
- shutsverbadjective