Skip to main content
to shoulder

to shoulder

5 3.6
To lift something onto the top of your arms to carry it
  • verb
  • /ˈʃoʊldər/
translation icon : llevar al hombro
  • He shouldered his backpack and set off on the long hike.
  • shoulder a pack
  • shoulder a bag
  • shoulder a backpack

You pick up the cross and shoulder it uphill because that's where all the meaning in your life will be derived from.

Examples

  • Chingachgook slips through young trees and stops, shouldering his smoothbore musket.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "They each shouldered the heavy pack and the water skin which was their share, then turned from the light that lay on the lands outside and plunged into the forest."

  • After thirty minutes sitting stock still, I stood up from the couch, shouldered the bag, and left the apartment.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • You pick up the cross and shoulder it uphill because that's where all the meaning in your life will be derived from.

  • Yehoshua did not reply, but rather knelt to shoulder a large, bulky pack that clearly was quite heavy.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I stepped back two paces in a military manner, cleared and shouldered my carbine, and saluted.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Once I was decently covered, I straightened my back and willingly shouldered the master's easel.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Then the travelers shouldered their packs, resumed their arms, and quitting the little area of light, they again plunged into the deep shadows of the forest.

  • Before climbing, they shouldered their supplies to ensure they had everything for the journey.

  • The construction workers shouldered heavy beams to move them to the site.

Synonyms

to carry
vsto shoulder
1.0

Hold and move something from one place to another

means lifting items onto the upper body for transport rather than any method
to tote
vsto shoulder
  • US
30 6.0

To carry something heavy or awkward

focuses on placing items on the upper body rather than on their heaviness
to sling
vsto shoulder
18 3.8

To hang or lift something using a strap

lifts items onto the body without using a strap

Antonyms

1.0

To let something fall suddenly or by accident

Idioms

15 3.2

A person who gives comfort and listens when you feel sad

cold shoulder
  • Informal
8 4.6

To ignore someone on purpose to show you dislike them

To start working very hard to reach a goal

In a direct and honest way without hiding feelings or opinions

Strong anger or hurt about being treated unfairly in the past

To work hard and continue when things are difficult

To begin working very hard and not give up on a difficult task

Phrasal Verbs

Act in a careful, nervous way because you fear being watched or followed

To push into a crowd or group using your body to get ahead

To lean your head or body against another person's shoulder for comfort

to cold-shoulder
  • Informal
1 7.7

To ignore someone on purpose to show you are angry or unfriendly

To work very hard and use a lot of energy

Compounds

Standing very close together in a row or group

shoulder blade
  • Specialized
14 2.4

A flat, triangular bone on each side of the upper back that helps hold the arm

12 2.9

A hard rounded piece worn over the shoulder to protect from hits in sports like football or hockey

5 1.3

A bag with a long strap that you wear on one shoulder

A band that goes over the shoulder to hold a bag or dress

A case worn over the shoulder that holds a gun under a jacket

Not covering the shoulders and leaving them bare in a dress or top

1 4.2

A cloth badge on a uniform shoulder showing rank or group

1 3.2

A paved area at the side of a motorway or main road where vehicles can stop in an emergency

shoulder joint
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A joint where the round top of the arm bone fits into the shoulder blade to move the arm

1 6.8

A flat stiff piece worn on the shoulder to show rank in the military or police

shoulder bone
  • Specialized
1 2.5

A flat triangular bone on the upper back that connects the arm to the body

shoulder girdle
  • Specialized
1 5.7

The bones that connect the arms to the body, including collarbones and shoulder blades

9.9

A way of dropping a bomb after flying past a target so the bomb falls back onto it

A piece of underwear that supports a woman's breasts

A lower part of a pig's shoulder used for meat, often smoked or cured

6.7

A small cloth or badge on the shoulder of a uniform that shows rank

shoulder cord
  • Jargon
7.2

A decorative braided cord worn on one shoulder with a military or formal uniform

shoulder flash
  • Specialized
6.8

A cloth badge worn on the shoulder of a military uniform that shows a soldier's unit

shoulder vise
  • Specialized
8.4

A clamp with soft jaws that holds wood without leaving marks

Direct and honest in speech that does not hide what you think

How Heavy

to hoist
79 4.7
to lug
21 4.4
to shoulder
5 3.6
to lift
553 1.0
to pick up
834 1.0

Surface Forms

shoulder infinitive
shouldered past
shouldered past participle
shouldering present participle
shoulders third person singular

Etymology

Shoulder as a verb meaning 'to carry on the shoulders' comes from putting something onto your shoulder to carry it, so to 'shoulder' a bag is to lift it up and carry it there.