First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1shred
noun \ˈshred, especially Southern ˈsred\
: a long, thin piece cut or torn off of something
shreds : a completely ruined condition
: a very small amount of something
Full Definition of SHRED
1
a : a long narrow strip cut or torn off b plural : a shredded, damaged, or ruined condition <a reputation torn to shreds>
See shred defined for English-language learners
See shred defined for kids
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Origin of SHRED
Middle English shrede, from Old English scrēade; akin to Old High German scrōt piece cut off
Related to SHRED
- Synonyms
- ace, bit, crumb, dab, dram, driblet, glimmer, hint, lick, little, mite, nip, ounce, peanuts, ray, scintilla, scruple, shade, shadow, particle, skosh, smack, smell, smidgen (also smidgeon or smidgin or smidge), snap, soupçon, spark, spatter, speck, splash, spot, sprinkling, strain, streak, suspicion, tad, touch, trace
2shred
verb
: to cut or tear (something) into long, thin pieces
shred·dedshred·ding
Full Definition of SHRED
transitive verb
1
archaic : to cut off
2
: to cut or tear into shreds <shredded the documents>
3
: demolish 2 <sharp lawyers shredding hapless witnesses — Charles Krauthammer>
intransitive verb
: to come apart in or break up into shreds
— shred·der noun
See shred defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SHRED
before 12th century
SHRED Defined for Kids
1shred
noun \ˈshred\
Definition of SHRED for Kids
1
: a long narrow piece torn or cut off : strip <shreds of cloth>
2
: a small amount : bit <There is not a shred of evidence.>
2shred
verb
shred·dedshred·ding
Definition of SHRED for Kids
: to cut or tear into small pieces
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