What does shrugged mean?
“Shrugged” is the past tense and past participle of “shrug,” a gesture made by raising the shoulders slightly and often lowering them again. It commonly communicates uncertainty, indifference, resignation, or amusement, especially when a person has no answer or wishes to avoid making a strong statement. “He shrugged when asked whether he knew what would happen” suggests uncertainty or detachment, while “She shrugged off the criticism” can imply that the remark was dismissed as unimportant. The word is natural in both speech and formal writing. It can also appear in idiomatic expressions such as “shrugged his shoulders” and “just shrugged,” where the gesture conveys a complete lack of engagement. As a verb, “shrug” is transitive when it names an object, as in “shrugged her shoulders,” and intransitive when it describes the gesture alone. “Shrugged” is used for completed actions and in constructions such as “has shrugged,” “had shrugged,” and “was shrugged off.”
verbTo raise the shoulders slightly, typically as a gesture of uncertainty, indifference, resignation, or amusement. “Shrugged” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “shrug.”
- To raise the shoulders slightly, expressing uncertainty, indifference, resignation, amusement, or a lack of concern.
- To dismiss or avoid a question or subject with a gesture of uncertainty or indifference.
"When asked for an explanation, she simply shrugged and walked away."
"He shrugged, unable to explain what had happened."
"The politician shrugged off questions about the controversy."
One raised-shoulder gesture can say “I don’t know,” “I don’t care,” or “What can be done?” all at once.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shrugged come from?
The verb “shrug” is recorded from the late 16th century. Its precise origin is uncertain, and it may have developed from an earlier expression describing a particular movement of the shoulders. The noun “shrugger,” meaning a person who shrugs, follows the same verbal root.
Related word forms
How shrugged is actually used
Common in both formal and informal English. It can express genuine uncertainty, indifference, amusement, resignation, or a deliberately noncommittal attitude; context and tone determine which meaning is intended.
Easily confused with shrugged
“Shrugged” is the standard past tense and past participle of “shrug,” while “shrugged” is an uncommon variant form sometimes used in informal or literary contexts.