Language Research

share · verb I or T

/ʃeər/Full view

share (HAVE AT SAME TIME)

A2 to have or use something at the same time as someone else

Dictionary examples:

Bill and I shared an office for years.

I share a house with four other people.

She's very possessive about her toys and finds it hard to share.

Learner example:

There are two beds because I share my room with a friend. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

share (DIVIDE)

A2 to divide something between two or more people

Dictionary examples:

Will you share your sandwich with me?

Let's share the sweets (out) among/between everyone.

We should share (in) the reward.

Learner example:

We shared one big cake. (Key English Test; A2; French)

share (FEELING/EXPERIENCE, ETC.)

B1 If two or more people or things share a feeling, quality or experience, they both or all have the same feeling, quality or experience.

Dictionary examples:

We share an interest in sailing.

All hospitals share some common characteristics.

I don't share your views/beliefs.

Management and the union both share in the responsibility for the crisis.

She knew that he was the person she wanted to share her life with.

Learner example:

Her name is Gulia and I met her at the University. She is very nice, and we share many interests, so we gave each other our phone numbers. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

share (DO TOGETHER)

B2 If two or more people share an activity, they each do some of it

Dictionary examples:

Shall we share the driving?

We shared the preparation for the party between us, so it wasn't too much work.

Learner example:

Ask your employer and other colle[a]gues to share the work. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

share your problems/thoughts/ideas, etc.

C1 to tell someone your problems/thoughts, etc.

Dictionary example:

Would you like to share your thoughts with the group, Donald?

Learner example:

I have received your letter asking for my opinion about the Conference and have decided to write and share some of my thoughts. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

share · noun C

/ʃeər/

share (PART)

B2 a part of something that has been divided

Dictionary examples:

The total bill comes to £80, so our share is £20.

We must make sure that everyone gets equal shares of the food.

The party's share of the vote fell from 39% to 24%.

She's not doing her share of the work.

We must all accept some share of the responsibility.

your (fair) share of sth

C2 a lot of something and enough of it, usually something bad

Dictionary example:

We've had our fair share of rain already this summer.

Learner example:

It wasn't as if Jean hadn't seen his fair share of dead bodies, but these ones were far more, well, disgusting, than anything before. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)

share (BUSINESS)

C2 one of the equal parts that the value of a company is divided into when it is owned by a group of people

Dictionary examples:

to buy/sell shares

We own shares in a number of companies.

Share prices have fallen for the third day running.

Learner example:

It is no longer the consumer but the shareholder who must be kept happy, in order to keep the share price high, and the simple worker pays the price. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)