English vocabulary · B2
Sift
/sɪft/ · v.
It means to shake small bits through a screen. It also means to search closely for something important.
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Example sentences
- She sifted through old photos for hours.
- The baker sifted flour into the bowl.
Word origin and roots
from Old English
- sift — separate small from big (from Old English)
Synonyms and nuances
- STRAIN — separate liquid from solid (To Remove Liquid Or Waste)
- FILTER — remove unwanted parts (To Clean Or Purify)
- SCREEN — check and separate items (To Check Or Block)
Similar words
- strain
- filter
- screen
Lesson notes
Sift. It means to shake small bits through a screen. It also means to search closely for something important.
Related: strain, filter, screen. Use sift when you check closely to find what matters.
She sifted through old photos for hours. The baker sifted flour into the bowl.
From Old English. Sift- means to separate small from big. Shaking fine grains free from the rough — that is sift.