shuffle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "shuffle" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to mix or rearrange something, usually in random order. You can use it in any context where you want to describe the process of mixing or rearranging something. For example: I shuffled the deck of cards before we began playing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Business

Politics

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But attempts to shuffle police commanders and move morality police under the jurisdiction of his own interior ministry have been defeated by more powerful conservative forces in the establishment.

The Guardian

Hopkins's beats shuffle and trip but there is a great clarity of focus throughout, and a delicate beauty".

The Guardian - Music

Until now, we've merely been witnessing a soft-shoe shuffle – a debate here, a hi-vis photocall there, Joey Essex everywhere else – that only really coalesced into anything meaningful when the parties unveiled their manifestos this week.

The Guardian

Two minutes later Schürrle stepped inside from the right himself after Nemanja Matic had stolen the ball, unbalanced Laurent Koscielny with a slight shuffle, and shot low into the same corner.

The Guardian - Sport

It had taken her over an hour and a half to shuffle from her bathroom to her bedroom, from where she was finally able to call for help.

The Guardian

Maybe a neat shuffle was impossible from a timing point of view, thus the rights issue.

The Guardian - Business

"This out-of-touch government encouraged councils to shuffle libraries off to community groups without thinking through the implications or potential pitfalls of doing so," said Jarvis.

The Guardian - Books

A backmarker keen to get photographed in first place attacked, then faded, and we each settled into our own rhythm – mine set by the iPod Shuffle I had brought loaded with a single track: a 180bpm metronome.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Murdoch pursued Dow Jones and the Journal relentlessly, despite (as I saw in the newsroom at the time) the open opposition of its staff in 2007, then spiffed up the paper with significant investments once his $5bn bid succeeded... only to shuffle it off when advisers told him that print was dragging down the value of the Fox broadcasting business.

The Guardian - Opinion

His theatrics are restricted to the stage, where he dances in a smooth, Michael Jackson-ish shuffle, his all-black outfit broken only by a pair of white socks.

The Guardian - Music

This virtual floor-dwelling entity then follows you around the room as you shuffle about, interacting with monitors with giant eyes on them, some of which offer to "turn you into a song".

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shuffle" in the context of music, be mindful of whether you're referring to the act of randomizing playback or a specific rhythm pattern. To make sure you are conveying the right message, define the context.

Common error

While "shuffle" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in formal contexts where more precise verbs like "rearrange" or "reorganize" might be more appropriate. Overusing it might make your writing sound less professional.

Linguistic Context

Shuffle functions primarily as a verb, describing actions of mixing, rearranging, or moving in a dragging manner. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage, spanning from physical actions like shuffling cards to abstract concepts like shuffling responsibilities. Examples from news and media demonstrate its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

10%

Business

8%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "shuffle" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb, indicating actions like mixing, rearranging, or moving with a dragging gait. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and wide-ranging use. It commonly appears in news and media, lifestyle, and business contexts, showing its applicability across various registers. While "shuffle" is generally neutral, it's crucial to consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate synonym, such as "rearrange", "reorder", or "mix up". It's best to avoid overusing "shuffle" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone. The provided FAQ addresses common questions about its usage, further clarifying its different applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mix up

Focuses on creating confusion or disorder by combining elements.

jumble

Emphasizes a chaotic arrangement.

rearrange

Implies a more organized change in position, rather than random mixing.

intermix

Highlights the blending or combining of different elements.

reorder

Suggests changing the sequence in a deliberate way.

reorganize

Suggests a more structured and purposeful rearrangement.

shift around

Implies moving things to different locations or positions.

dodge

Conveys avoiding something, similar to the evasive sense of "shuffle".

evade

Similar to 'dodge', but with a more intentional avoidance.

equivocate

To use ambiguous language to conceal the truth, resembling the 'evade questions' sense of "shuffle".

FAQs

How can I use "shuffle" in a sentence?

You can use "shuffle" to describe the action of mixing cards, like in "Please "shuffle the cards" before dealing". It can also describe a dragging movement, as in "He "shuffled his feet" nervously".

What is another word for "shuffle" in the context of rearranging?

In the context of rearranging, you can use alternatives like "rearrange", "reorder", or "mix up" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "shuffle" and "rearrange"?

"Shuffle" often implies a random or haphazard mixing, while "rearrange" suggests a more organized and deliberate change in the order or position of something.

Can "shuffle" be used in a business context?

Yes, "shuffle" can be used in a business context, often to describe the act of reorganizing resources or personnel, such as "The company decided to "shuffle the departments" to improve efficiency".