share
/ʃeə(r)/ IELTSAcademic
verb
to give some of something to another person, so each person has part of it. It can also mean to let other people use, see, or have access to something.
- Please share your notes with the class.
- We shared the last piece of cake.
noun
a part of something that belongs to a person or group. It can also mean the amount each person pays or gets.
- Everyone paid their share.
- She got a fair share of the profits.
Adinary Nuance
Share is about dividing or letting others use something. It is more concrete than distribute, which often sounds formal and planned. It is also broader than split, which usually means dividing into parts, not necessarily giving or using together.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chia sẻ
- Spanish
- compartir
- Chinese
- 分享
- Japanese
- 共有する
- Korean
- 공유하다
Etymology
From Old English scearu and related Germanic words meaning 'a cutting' or 'portion'. The idea became 'a part for each person' and then 'to divide or use together'.
Common phrases
share withshare a roomshare responsibilityshare the cost
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is share a formal word?
- No, it is common in both speaking and writing. It works well in everyday English and business English.
- What is the difference between share and divide?
- Share means let others use or receive part of something. Divide means separate something into parts.
- Can I say share information?
- Yes. It means tell other people or give them access to information.
- Is share used in IELTS writing?
- Yes, it is useful in both academic and general IELTS contexts.