What does shouldered mean?
Shouldered is the past tense and past participle of shoulder, and it is used both literally and figuratively. Literally, it describes carrying or supporting something on one’s shoulders: a person may shoulder a pack, a burden, or a load. Figuratively, it means taking responsibility for something difficult, such as blame, criticism, or an unpleasant task: “The director shouldered the consequences of the failure.” The verb can also describe using one’s shoulder to push through a crowd or move something aside. In attributive use, “shouldered” describes something having a shoulder or shoulders, such as a shouldered coat. Its figurative sense conveys determination or acceptance of responsibility and can imply that the burden was voluntarily assumed.
Carried on one’s shoulder; took upon oneself or assumed responsibility for something; or moved or pushed with one’s shoulder.
"The soldiers shouldered their equipment and marched on."
The phrase “shoulder responsibility” is common in formal and neutral contexts.
Having a shoulder or shoulders, especially used attributively to describe a garment or object.
"The rider wore a heavy, shouldered coat."
This use is relatively uncommon and generally appears before a noun.
To shoulder something is to bear it physically—or metaphorically, to take responsibility for a burden that belongs to you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shouldered come from?
The form “shouldered” is an inflection of “shoulder,” which descends from Old English “suldor.” The modern figurative sense develops from the physical idea of bearing a load on the shoulder: responsibility and difficulty are treated as burdens that a person carries.
How shouldered is actually used
The figurative sense of assuming responsibility or difficulty is common in formal and neutral English. The adjective use, as in “a shouldered coat,” is less common and usually occurs before a noun.
Easily confused with shouldered
Shoulder is the base noun and verb, while shouldered is its past-tense, past-participle, and adjective form.