The word "shirked" is spelled with six letters and two syllables. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ʃɜrkt/, with the stress on the first syllable. The initial "sh" is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, followed by the short "i" vowel sound. Next, the "r" is pronounced as a retroflex approximant, followed by the voiceless stop consonant "k" and the voiceless dental fricative "t". The word means to avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility.
Shirked is a verb that refers to the act of avoiding or neglecting a responsibility, duty, or task that one is expected to fulfill. It implies a deliberate act of evading one's obligations or duties in a dishonest or deceitful manner.
When someone shirks a task, they purposefully evade their responsibility without a legitimate reason or excuse. This evasion may involve not completing an assigned duty, not assuming a required role, or avoiding necessary obligations. Shirked often carries negative connotations due to its suggestion of irresponsibility, laziness, or dishonesty.
Individuals may shirk their responsibilities in various settings, such as in the workplace, school, or home. For example, an employee who consistently shirks their workload may fail to accomplish essential work assignments or deceitfully transfer their tasks onto others, negatively impacting productivity and team cohesion. Similarly, a student who shirks their academic obligations may skip classes, avoid studying, or plagiarize, which can lead to poor performance and academic dishonesty.
Shirked behavior may have consequences, including disciplinary action, strained relationships, or a damaged reputation. Employers, educators, or supervisors may observe and penalize employees or students who repeatedly shirk their responsibilities. Conversely, individuals who consistently fulfill their obligations exhibit reliability, professionalism, and accountability, gaining trust and recognition.
Overall, shirked is a term used to describe an intentional act of evading one's responsibilities or duties, often with negative consequences for both the individual and the surrounding environment.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "shirked" comes from the Middle English term "shirken", which means to evade or avoid one's responsibility or duty. It is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse word "skirra", which means to frighten or to scare away, and later evolved to mean to avoid work or duty. The word "shirk" first appeared in English in the 16th century.