shredder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, leaning slightly formal for the literal meaning; informal/slang for figurative/extended uses (e.g., 'shredder' for an expert guitarist).
Quick answer
What does “shredder” mean?
A machine or device that cuts something, especially paper, into very small strips or pieces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A machine or device that cuts something, especially paper, into very small strips or pieces.
Any person or thing that destroys or breaks something down into small parts; used figuratively in contexts like sports (e.g., guitar shredder, a skier who 'shreds' the slopes).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word form is identical. The figurative use, especially in extreme sports and music ('guitar shredder'), may be slightly more prevalent in American media, but is widely understood in the UK.
Connotations
Neutral-to-positive for skill (e.g., sports, music); neutral-to-negative for destruction (e.g., documents, critic).
Frequency
Comparatively high frequency in both varieties due to the ubiquity of paper shredders in offices. Figurative uses are common in specific subcultures.
Grammar
How to Use “shredder” in a Sentence
N + shredder (paper shredder)use + the + shredderfeed/put + something + into/through + the + shreddershredder + for + NP (a shredder for confidential documents)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential for data protection and GDPR/confidentiality compliance. 'All sensitive documents must be disposed of via the office shredder.'
Academic
Rare, except in discussions of security, waste management, or figurative language.
Everyday
Common for home office security and garden waste management. 'I need to shred these old bills.'
Technical
Used in recycling, waste management, and industrial contexts (e.g., tyre shredder, wood shredder).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shredder”
- Misspelling as 'shedder'.
- Using 'shredder' as a verb (the verb is 'to shred').
- Confusing a 'shredder' (makes strips) with a 'crusher' (compacts) or 'grinder' (pulverises).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for paper, shredders are also used for garden waste, plastics, tyres, and other materials in industrial contexts.
A shredder typically cuts or tears material into strips or pieces (like paper strips), while a grinder pulverises material into much finer particles or powder.
No, 'shredder' is a noun. The related verb is 'to shred' (e.g., 'Shred these documents').
It's a slang term from rock/metal music for a lead guitarist who plays very fast, technically complex solos, 'shredding' the fretboard.
A machine or device that cuts something, especially paper, into very small strips or pieces.
Shredder is usually neutral, leaning slightly formal for the literal meaning; informal/slang for figurative/extended uses (e.g., 'shredder' for an expert guitarist). in register.
Shredder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃredə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃredər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SHREDDED paper. A SHREDDER is the machine that MAKES the shreds.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION IS CUTTING INTO STRIPS (literal); HIGH SKILL/INTENSITY IS DESTRUCTIVE FORCE (figurative).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'shredder' MOST likely to be used figuratively?