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

For the next 90 minutes, the man instructed Mrs Campbell to shuffle different sums of money between these accounts – and also into a separate Western Union account - watching the transactions go through using screen share, all under the guise of helping her.

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

Griffin’s reluctance to shuffle into obscurity has certainly angered her dissenters, but the gaudy display of political extremism outside the show only excited Griffin’s fans, who rumbled about whether the comedian would address the nonsense on stage.

From Salon

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

From Salon

At some point during this interstate shuffle, the cows were infected and the virus was not identified until it was too late.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drag
• limp
• straggle
• stumble