shuffle

[ shuhf-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, shuf·fled, shuf·fling.

1. to walk without lifting the feet or with clumsy steps and a shambling gait.
2. to scrape the feet over the floor in dancing.
3. to move clumsily (usually followed by into ):

   to shuffle into one's clothes.

4. to act underhandedly or evasively with respect to a stated situation (often followed by in, into, or out of ):

   to shuffle out of one's responsibilities.

5. to intermix so as to change the relative positions of cards in a pack.

verb (used with object)

, shuf·fled, shuf·fling.

1. to move (one's feet) along the ground or floor without lifting them.

   Synonyms: scuff, scrape, drag

2. to perform (a dance) with such movements.
3. to move (an object or objects) this way and that.
4. to put, thrust, or bring trickily, evasively, or haphazardly (usually followed by in, into, out, etc.):

   to shuffle one's way into favor.

5. to mix (cards in a pack) so as to change the relative positions.
6. to jumble together, mix, or interchange the positions of (objects).

noun

1. a scraping movement; dragging gait.
2. an evasive trick; evasion.
3. an act or instance of shuffling.
4. Cards.
   1. a shuffling of cards in a pack.
   2. the right or turn to shuffle preparatory to dealing:

      You win the shuffle.

5. a dance in which the feet are shuffled along the floor.

verb phrase

1. 1. to thrust aside; get rid of.
   2. to move away by, or as if by, shuffling:

      They shuffled off to school with little enthusiasm.

shuffle

/ ˈʃʌfəl /

verb

1. to walk or move (the feet) with a slow dragging motion
2. to change the position of (something), esp quickly or in order to deceive others
3. tr to mix together in a careless manner

   he shuffled the papers nervously

4. to mix up (cards in a pack) to change their order
5. intr to behave in an awkward, evasive, or underhand manner; equivocate
6. whenintr, often foll by into or out of to move or cause to move clumsily

   he shuffled out of the door

7. intr to dance the shuffle

noun

1. the act or an instance of shuffling
2. a dance or dance step with short dragging movements of the feet

Derived Forms

• ˈshuffler, noun

Other Words From

• re·shuffle verb reshuffled reshuffling noun
• un·shuffled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shuffle¹

1525–35; < Low German schuffeln to walk clumsily or with dragging feet, mix (cards); akin to shovel

Word History and Origins

Origin of shuffle¹

C16: probably from Low German schüffeln; see shove

Example Sentences

The Rams’ offensive line shuffle will continue on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

From Los Angeles Times

When he returned, the line was in a shuffle because of injuries suffered in the opener.

From Los Angeles Times

The six-two split on the bench between forwards and backs has been abandoned in favour of a more conventional five-three split, meaning the pack won't be shuffled as dramatically in the closing stages.

From BBC

I like T20 cricket, but find it hard to get excited about leagues that are simply the same players shuffled into a different shirt from the one they were playing in two weeks prior.

From BBC

That bureaucratic shuffle would remove federal air pollution regulations that govern the facilities’ toxic air emissions, Pew said.

From Salon

Related Words

• drag
• limp
• straggle
• stumble