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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Shoulder: Meaning, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：the shoulder (shoulder)

shoulder 🔊

/ˈʃoʊldər/

n., v.

The top part of your arm where it joins your body.

the shoulder 🔊

➕

/ðə ˈʃoʊldər/

n., v.

The shoulder is the area of the body where the upper arm connects to the torso, including the joint and surrounding muscles.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Old English 'sculdor', from Germanic roots; related to Dutch 'schouder' and German 'Schulter'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'should' + 'er' = you 'should' carry heavy 'er' (here) on your shoulder.

📖 Example

She gently put her hand on her friend's shoulder to show support during the difficult conversation. 🔊 She gently put her hand on her friend's shoulder to show support during the difficult conversation.

🔗 Collocations

shoulder pain – pain in the shoulder area

shoulder injury – damage to the shoulder joint or muscles

shoulder to shoulder – side by side; in close cooperation

🔄 Synonyms

deltoid (n.) – the thick muscle covering the shoulder joint

shoulder joint (n.) – the ball-and-socket joint connecting the arm to the torso

upper arm joint (n.) – the joint where the upper arm meets the shoulder

🚫 Antonyms

foot (n.) – the lower extremity of the leg below the ankle

hip (n.) – the joint connecting the leg to the torso

🌱 Derivatives

shouldered (adj.) – having a particular type of shoulder or shoulders

shouldering (n.) – the act of using one's shoulder to push or carry

shoulderless (adj.) – without a shoulder or shoulders

📖 Cultural Story

In ancient Greece, Atlas held up the sky on his shoulders, symbolizing great burden. The phrase 'shoulder to shoulder' emerged from military formation, meaning standing together in solidarity.

Meaning 2：shoulder responsibility (shoulder)

shoulder 🔊

/ˈʃoʊldər/

n., v.

To accept and deal with a difficult task or responsibility.

shoulder responsibility 🔊

➕

/ˈʃoʊldər rɪˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/

n., v.

To shoulder something means to accept it as a responsibility or burden, often a difficult task.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

He decided to shoulder the responsibility of organizing the community clean-up event. 🔊 He decided to shoulder the responsibility of organizing the community clean-up event.

🔗 Collocations

shoulder the burden – to accept and carry a heavy responsibility

shoulder the cost – to take financial responsibility

shoulder the blame – to accept fault or responsibility for something

🔄 Synonyms

bear (v.) – to accept and deal with a responsibility or problem

assume (v.) – to take on a role, duty, or responsibility

undertake (v.) – to commit to a task or responsibility

🚫 Antonyms

avoid (v.) – to keep away from or prevent something from happening

shirk (v.) – to avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility

dodge (v.) – to avoid something deliberately

🌱 Derivatives

shouldered (adj.) – having taken on a responsibility

shouldering (n.) – the act of accepting responsibility

unshouldered (adj.) – not having taken on a responsibility