B1noun2K

Shelf

UK /["/ʃelf/","/ʃelvz/"]/US /["/ʃelf/","/ʃelvz/"]/

Definition

a flat board, made of wood, metal, glass, etc., fixed to the wall or forming part of a cupboard, bookcase, etc., for things to be placed on

In simple words: A flat board that you can put things on.

Examples

  • I put the books on the shelf in my room.
  • The shelf in the kitchen is full of spices and jars.
  • There is a wide shelf where you can display your collectibles.
  • The ocean shelf is an area where the sea floor is shallow.
  • Marine life is abundant along the continental shelf.

Usage notes

Use 'shelf' for both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as describing storage or keeping options. It's appropriate in most contexts, but avoid using it in very formal documents where you might use 'storage solution' instead.

Grammar pattern

shelf + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'self' — think of putting a book on a 'self' for easy access.

Collocations

  • high
  • low
  • deep
  • have
  • build
  • put up
  • be full of something
  • contain something
  • hold something
  • space
  • life
  • off a/​the shelf
  • on a/​the shelf
  • shelf of
  • be filled with shelves
  • be lined with shelves
  • a place on your shelves

Synonyms

  • rack
  • ledge
  • platform
  • stand

Antonyms

  • floor
  • ground

Common mistakes

  • Using 'shelves' incorrectly as a singular form instead of 'shelf'.
  • Confusing 'shelf' with 'shelve', which means to put something on a shelf.
  • Mispronouncing 'shelf' as if it has two syllables.