shift lock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumTechnical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “shift lock” mean?
A key on a keyboard that locks the shift function, allowing capital letters or upper symbols to be typed continuously without holding down the shift key.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A key on a keyboard that locks the shift function, allowing capital letters or upper symbols to be typed continuously without holding down the shift key.
A mechanism that prevents accidental changes or maintains a selected state in various mechanical or digital systems, such as in typewriters, keyboards, or automotive gear selectors.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically, as it originated with typewriter and keyboard technology shared across markets.
Connotations
Historical, old-fashioned, or technical. Less common in modern computing contexts.
Frequency
Similar frequency; rare in everyday speech but present in technical/historical discussions and manuals.
Grammar
How to Use “shift lock” in a Sentence
The shift lock is engaged.He pressed shift lock.The typewriter has a shift lock.Does your keyboard feature a shift lock?Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shift lock” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Make sure you shift-lock the typewriter before typing the heading.
- He shift-locked the keyboard by mistake.
American English
- You need to shift-lock the key to type all those symbols.
- She accidentally shift-locked the old computer terminal.
adjective
British English
- The shift-lock mechanism is jammed.
- It's a shift-lock key, not a caps lock.
American English
- The shift-lock function isn't working.
- Check the shift-lock indicator light.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, unless discussing vintage office equipment or specialised hardware.
Academic
Used in historical studies of technology, linguistics (typewriting), or ergonomics.
Everyday
Uncommon; mostly recognised by older generations or tech enthusiasts.
Technical
Used in keyboard specifications, typewriter manuals, and discussions of input device history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shift lock”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shift lock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shift lock”
- Confusing 'shift lock' with 'caps lock'.
- Using 'shift lock' to refer to any keyboard lock feature.
- Assuming modern keyboards have a shift lock key.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Caps lock typically only affects letter keys, making them uppercase. A traditional shift lock also affects the number and symbol keys, typing the upper character shown on the key (e.g., ! instead of 1).
Most modern computer keyboards do not have a dedicated shift lock key. The caps lock key has largely replaced its function for letters, and the shift key must be held for other symbols.
On vintage typewriters, some older computer or specialist terminals (e.g., in industrial or point-of-sale systems), or as a software feature in some accessibility settings or legacy software emulators.
Yes, it can refer to a safety feature in vehicles (preventing accidental gear shifts) or in machinery to lock a component in a shifted position, though these uses are less common.
A key on a keyboard that locks the shift function, allowing capital letters or upper symbols to be typed continuously without holding down the shift key.
Shift lock is usually technical / historical in register.
Shift lock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪft ˌlɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪft ˌlɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SHIFT changes position, LOCK keeps it there. A SHIFT LOCK locks the shift function in place.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LOCK as a mechanism to fix or secure a temporary state.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a shift lock?