Spelling of Share: Share is spelled s-h-a-r-e.
Definition of Share: Share, as a verb, means to divide and distribute in, usually, equal portions; to partake of, experience or enjoy or have in common with others; to grant or give a share in or portion of; to tell (something) to others.
As a noun, a share is a piece, portion, or stock in something owned by an individual or group. A share in a business, company, property, etc., is usually paid for or earned through a capital investment.
Pronunciation of Share: Share is pronounced shaer. Share rhymes with care, bare, bear, mare, dare, fare, fair, hair, and prepare.
What does share mean? Share can function as both a verb and a noun.
Most commonly, share is used as a verb. It can be a transitive or intransitive verb. In most cases, when share is used as a verb, it is used with “in” or “with.”
As a transitive verb, share means: to divide or distribute in portions or shares; to occupy, experience, or enjoy with others; to have in common; to grant or give a share in; to tell one’s thoughts, feelings, experiences to others.
For example,
- She brought enough candy to share with everyone in the class.
- Eventually, he became trusting and comfortable enough to share his darkest secrets.
As an intransitive verb, share means: to have a share (in); to apportion and take shares of something; to talk about one’s thoughts with others.
For example,
- When you feel ready, we would love for you to share.
- Long ago, we shared in the profits of the same company.
Share can also be used as a noun.
As a noun, it refers to a stock(s) in a business or company, a portion belonging to or contributed by one person, or a part of a property or corporation.
For example,
- After a long discussion with his wife, he decided to purchase shares in the up and coming tech company.
- Make sure everyone in your group does their fair share of the work.
Go shares: to have equal concern or to partake equally, as in a business venture.
Share of the pie: a portion or piece of an amount of money.
Fair share: a reasonable or fair amount of something.
Share the wealth: to spread or share one’s riches, goods, etc., with others instead of keeping it for oneself.
The Lion’s Share: a larger portion than others’ portions; the largest part of a whole.
Share was first used as a verb in 1590, according to Merriam-Webster’s.
Share comes from Middle English schare, from the Old English word scear, scearu, division, which is akin to the Old High German scaro, meaning plowshare.
There are a couple synonyms for the verb share:
- Partake
- Participate
As a noun, there are several synonyms that can be substituted for share, depending on the context and meaning:
- Allotment
- Allowance
- Cut
- End
- Part
- Piece
- Portion
- Proportion
- Quota
- Slice
- Take
Finally, the following words can be used to replace share when it means a legal right to participation in the advantages, profits, and/or responsibility of something:
- Claim
- Interest
- Stake
- Stock
- Leading U.S. companies like Amazon.com and Alphabet parent Google also posted sizable quarterly earnings beats late Thursday, fueling big gains in their stocks Friday that pushed both companies’ share prices back over $1,000. – USA Today
- Houston area residents should not share or copy and paste an alleged number for the National Guard, even if intentions are noble. – Houston Chronicle
Summary
Share can function as both a noun and a verb, but it is used as a verb more often. As a verb, generally, the word involves giving or taking a piece or part of something. As a noun, it usually refers to one’s piece or part in something.
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