Meaning & use
shedding
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“shedding” is a form of “shed”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountable
The process by which an animal, plant, or person naturally loses hair, skin, leaves, or other outer parts.
Grammar: Used as a mass noun: 'Shedding is normal in dogs.' Don't say 'a shedding'.
Patterns
- shedding of something
- shedding in animals
Regular brushing helps control the shedding of your dog's coat.
The shedding of leaves in autumn is triggered by shorter days.
Excessive shedding can be a sign of illness in cats.
noununcountable
The act of getting rid of something unwanted, such as weight, workers, or old beliefs.
Grammar: Often followed by 'of': 'the shedding of jobs'.
Patterns
- shedding of something
- shedding jobs
The company announced the shedding of 500 jobs.
His shedding of old habits took years.
Weight shedding requires both diet and exercise.
verbtransitive or intransitive
Present participle of 'shed': losing something naturally or getting rid of it.
Grammar: Used in progressive tenses: 'The tree is shedding leaves.'
Patterns
- be shedding something
- shedding tears
She was shedding tears of joy at the wedding.
The snake is shedding its skin.
They are shedding light on a difficult problem.
Common combinations
- hair shedding
- Hair shedding increases after childbirth.
- shedding season
- Spring is shedding season for many breeds.
- excessive shedding
- The vet asked about excessive shedding.
- shedding light on
- The study is shedding light on sleep patterns.
Synonyms and how they differ
- molting
- Used mainly for birds, insects, and reptiles; 'shedding' is broader and also used for mammals.
- loss
- More general; 'shedding' suggests a natural or gradual process.
Word family
- shed verb
- To lose or get rid of something.
Practice
The dog is ______ all over the sofa.
Choose one answer.
After 'is', we need the -ing form 'shedding' for the progressive tense. 'Shed' is the base form and doesn't fit after 'is'; 'sheds' is present simple; 'shedded' is not a word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “shedding”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.