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Added 9 October 2026

shirk

/ʃɜːk/ verb

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about shirk at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Avoid (one's assigned duties).
The derelict soldier shirked his duties
Avoid dealing with.
She shirks her duties

Origin

First use appears c. 1633, in the publications of Shackerley Marmion, apparently from association with shark (verb), or otherwise directly from German Schurke (“rogue, knave”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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