Shirk

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: shûk, IPA: /ʃɜːk/
• GenAm enPR: shûrk, IPA: /ʃɝk/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)k

First attested use in 1625 – 1635, apparently from association with shark (verb form), or from German Schurke ("rogue, knave")

Online Etymology Dictionary|shirk

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Full definition of shirk

Verb

1. (transitive) To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
• Harethe usual makeshift by which they try to shirk difficulties
2. (intransitive) To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.If you have a job, don't shirk from it by staying off work.
• ByronOne of the cities shirked from the league.
3. To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.
• Bishop RainbowYou that never heard the call of any vocation, ... that shirk living from others, but time from yourselves.

Synonyms

• blow off US
• goldbrick dated

Noun

1. one who shirks

Pronunciation

Arabic شرك (širk, "idolatry").

Noun

1. (Islam) the unforgivable sin of idolatry