shove
UK: ʃʌv | US: ʃʌv
Definition
vt. to push roughly or forcefully
n. a strong, forceful push
Structure
shove <to push>
Etymology
The word "shove" traces back to Old English scūfan, meaning "to push, thrust." It shares roots with Dutch schuiven and German schieben, all deriving from Proto-Germanic skeubaną. Unlike many modern English words, "shove" remains monomorphic—its spelling and meaning have condensed over time without clear separable morphemes. The word’s persistence reflects its core, physical action, unchanged since early Germanic languages.
Examples
He shoved the door open with his shoulder.
The crowd shoved forward to see the performer.
She gave the box a hard shove to move it across the floor.
Don’t shove others in line—wait your turn.
The toddler shoved his toys aside angrily.