shoulder
/ˈʃəʊldə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃəʊldər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshōl-dər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈʃəʊl.dər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃoʊl.dɚ/ (ame, ipa)
shoulder — noun
- shouldersingular
- shouldersplural
1. each of the two joints on either side of your neck that connect your arm to the
each of the two joints on either side of your neck that connect your arm to the main part of your body.
Yara gently touched Daichi's shoulder to get her attention.
The doctor asked Christopher to roll his left shoulder forward during the exam.
collocation: roll / rotate one's shoulder
Quinn carries her heavy backpack on both shoulders so the weight is even.
After the volleyball match, Heloísa felt a sharp pain in her right shoulder.
常見錯誤
2. the part of your back that sits below your neck and lies between your two should
the part of your back that sits below your neck and lies between your two shoulder blades.
Femi looked back over his shoulder to check if anyone was following.
phrase: look over one's shoulder
A young mother carried the sleeping child high on her shoulder.
The rain soaked through the shoulders of Andrew's cotton shirt.
Daichi draped a towel over his bare shoulders after swimming.
用法筆記
Often used with 'over one's shoulder' to describe looking backward. The plural form 'shoulders' is more common in this sense than the singular.
3. the section on any garment designed to sit on or lie across your shoulder area.
the section on any garment designed to sit on or lie across your shoulder area.
The jacket has padded shoulders that give it a more formal shape.
collocation: padded shoulders
Nikhil grabbed the shoulders of Élise's coat to help him stand up.
These shirt shoulders are cut too narrow for someone with a broad frame.
The tailor adjusted the shoulder seam so the dress would fit perfectly.
用法筆記
Often used in tailoring contexts. 'Shoulder seam' and 'shoulder pad' are common compound terms.
4. the curved area on a bottle or similar container where the narrow neck widens in
the curved area on a bottle or similar container where the narrow neck widens into the main body.
A wine bottle should be filled up to the shoulders for proper storage.
collocation: bottle shoulder / up to the shoulders
The glass bottle has a narrow neck that widens into rounded shoulders.
Paloma gripped the bottle by its shoulders to pour the olive oil steadily.
The chemist designed the flask with gently sloping shoulders for easier pouring.
用法筆記
A specialised term used mostly in manufacturing, packaging, or wine storage contexts. Learners are more likely to encounter this in product descriptions than in conversation.
5. the burden of responsibility, blame, or duty that someone carries — used in phra
the burden of responsibility, blame, or duty that someone carries — used in phrases such as 'on someone's shoulders'.
The success of the school project rests on the shoulders of just two students.
phrase: rest on sb's shoulders
After the scandal, the manager took the blame on his own shoulders.
The financial burden of the wedding fell on the shoulders of Ari's parents.
Too much pressure has been placed on the shoulders of young athletes.
用法筆記
Almost always used in fixed prepositional phrases ('on someone's shoulders', 'upon someone's shoulders'). The singular 'shoulder' is rare in this sense — the plural 'shoulders' is the standard form.
常見錯誤
6. meat taken from the top portion of the foreleg of an animal, usually prepared as
meat taken from the top portion of the foreleg of an animal, usually prepared as a roast or cooked slowly.
We slow-roasted a lamb shoulder for the holiday dinner with herbs and garlic.
collocation: lamb shoulder / pork shoulder / beef shoulder
Pork shoulder is ideal for pulled pork because the meat becomes very tender.
The butcher wrapped the beef shoulder in brown paper and tied it with string.
Andrew seasoned the chicken shoulder pieces with salt and pepper before cooking.
用法筆記
Commonly paired with animal names: 'lamb shoulder', 'pork shoulder', 'beef shoulder'. Often sold as a roast and associated with slow-cooking methods.
7. the strip beside the traffic lanes on a highway, available for drivers who must
the strip beside the traffic lanes on a highway, available for drivers who must pull off suddenly when something goes wrong.
When the engine started smoking, Daichi pulled over onto the shoulder safely.
phrase: pull over onto the shoulder
Élise parked on the hard shoulder and turned on her hazard lights.
collocation: hard shoulder
Drivers should never stop on the shoulder unless it is an emergency.
The bicycle lane runs next to the shoulder of the highway for a few miles.
用法筆記
In British English, 'hard shoulder' specifically refers to a paved emergency lane on a motorway. In American English, 'shoulder' is more general and may be unpaved.
shoulder — verb
- shoulderpresent simple I / you / we / they
- shoulders3rd person singular
- shouldering-ing form
- shoulderedpast simple
1. to accept or take on a difficult duty, blame, or responsibility, often one that
to accept or take on a difficult duty, blame, or responsibility, often one that is heavy or unwanted.
As team leader, Heloísa shouldered the blame for the project's failure without complaint.
collocation: shoulder the blame
Andrew shoulders the responsibility of caring for his elderly mother and two young children.
collocation: shoulder the responsibility
The company agreed to shoulder the full cost of the environmental cleanup.
No single parent should have to shoulder such a heavy financial burden alone.
文法句型
shoulder + noun (responsibility / blame / cost / burden)
用法筆記
This is the most common verb sense of 'shoulder'. It is formal and figurative — you do not literally lift anything. Typical objects are 'blame', 'responsibility', 'cost', 'burden', 'duty'.
常見錯誤
2. to lift and carry something by placing it on one or both of your shoulders.
to lift and carry something by placing it on one or both of your shoulders.
Quinn shouldered his duffel bag and walked across the platform to catch the train.
collocation: shoulder a bag / backpack / load
The farmer shouldered a heavy sack of rice and carried it to the waiting truck.
Yara shouldered her camera bag before hiking up the steep mountain trail.
A porter at the station shouldered their suitcases and led them to the taxi stand.
文法句型
shoulder + noun (bag / pack / load)
用法筆記
Literal, physical sense — unlike sense 1. Common with luggage, bags, tools, or food sacks. The object is typically something with a strap or a shape that can balance on the shoulder.
3. to push something or someone using your shoulder, especially to force a way thro
to push something or someone using your shoulder, especially to force a way through a crowd or past an obstacle.
Femi shouldered his way through the crowded market to reach the exit.
pattern: shoulder one's way through
Ari shouldered the heavy wooden door open and stepped into the dark room.
Eli shouldered past the other passengers, trying not to miss his connecting flight.
Christopher shouldered the crate aside so that the delivery truck could get through.
文法句型
shoulder + reflexive / way / past / through
shoulder + door / person / object
用法筆記
Often used with a reflexive or directional expression ('shoulder one's way through', 'shoulder past', 'shoulder aside'). The object can be a person, a door, or an obstacle.