shirk

[ shurk ]

verb (used with object)

1. to evade (work, duty, responsibility, etc.).

   Synonyms: dodge, avoid, shun

verb (used without object)

1. to evade work, duty, etc.

noun

1. a shirker.

shirk

¹

/ ʃɜːk /

verb

1. to avoid discharging (work, a duty, etc); evade

noun

1. a person who shirks

shirk

²

/ ʃɪːk /

noun

1. Islam
   1. the fundamental sin of regarding anything as equal to Allah
   2. any belief that is considered to be in opposition to Allah and Islam

Other Words From

• un·shirked adjective
• un·shirking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shirk¹

First recorded in 1625–35; obscurely akin to shark ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of shirk¹

C17: probably from German Schurke rogue; see shark ²

Origin of shirk²

from Arabic: association

Example Sentences

De León denounced Feldstein Soto’s decision, saying she had “shirked her duty as a criminal prosecutor” by declining to pursue charges.

From Los Angeles Times

The more campaign postcards I wrote, the more I started to wonder: Who were these people shirking their civic duty?

From Los Angeles Times

With an audience of predominantly women on the airwaves and in the studio, he cultivated an aggressive and flashy style – interrogating guests on a variety of subjects, never shirking from controversy.

From Salon

"I think part of that was we were obviously trying to shirk traditional game design," says Will.

From BBC

He said previous Conservative governments had "shirked difficult decisions" on the NHS out of a fear of attacks from their opponents.

From BBC