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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Sift Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：separate by shaking (sift)

sift 🔊

/sɪft/

to separate smaller, finer parts from larger pieces by shaking them through a tool with small holes.

Sift meaning illustrated: hands using a sieve to separate fine flour.

separate by shaking 🔊

➕

/ˈsɛpəreɪt baɪ ˈʃeɪkɪŋ/

To physically separate smaller or finer particles from larger ones using a sieve or similar tool.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Middle English 'siften', from Old English 'siftan', related to 'sieve'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a SIFTer (sieve) that helps you SHIFT through materials to find what's important.

📖 Example

The archaeologist carefully sifted the sand through a fine mesh to find tiny fragments of ancient pottery. 🔊 The archaeologist carefully separated the sand by shaking it through a fine mesh to find tiny fragments of ancient pottery.

🔗 Collocations

sift through – to search through something carefully by moving it around

sift out – to remove unwanted things by sifting

sift flour – to pass flour through a sieve to aerate it and remove lumps

🔄 Synonyms

strain (v.) – to separate solid matter from a liquid by passing it through a sieve

filter (v.) – to pass a substance through a device to remove unwanted elements

screen (v.) – to examine or sort using a mesh or sieve

🚫 Antonyms

combine (v.) – to join or mix together

lump together (v.) – to treat different things as the same without distinction

🌱 Derivatives

sifter (n.) – a device or person that sifts

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'sift' has ancient roots in food preparation, originally describing the process of separating fine flour from bran using a sieve. This practical, hands-on action later evolved into its metaphorical meaning of examining information carefully.

Meaning 2：examine carefully (sift)

sift 🔊

/sɪft/

to examine a lot of information or things very carefully to find what is important or true.

Sift definition: person carefully examining data on a computer screen.

examine carefully 🔊

➕

/ɪɡˈzæmɪn ˈkeəfəli/

To examine information, evidence, or a collection of items meticulously in order to find what is valuable, relevant, or true.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The researcher spent weeks sifting through the historical documents to uncover the true story. 🔊 The researcher spent weeks examining the historical documents very carefully to uncover the true story.

🔗 Collocations

sift through data – to analyze large amounts of data to find patterns or key information

sift evidence – to examine evidence carefully in a legal or investigative context

sift the facts – to carefully distinguish the true facts from rumors or false information

🔄 Synonyms

scrutinize (v.) – to examine or inspect closely and thoroughly

analyze (v.) – to examine methodically and in detail

winnow (v.) – to find or identify a valuable or useful part of something (metaphorical from agriculture)

🚫 Antonyms

overlook (v.) – to fail to notice or consider something

skim (v.) – to read or look over something quickly and superficially