Pronunciation: [ʃɹˈɛd] (IPA) 
The word "shred" is spelled with five letters: s-h-r-e-d. The first sound is an "sh" sound, which is represented by the IPA symbol /ʃ/. This is followed by the "r" sound, represented by /r/. The "e" is pronounced as a short vowel sound, /ɛ/, and the "d" is a voiced consonant sound, represented by /d/. Altogether, the IPA transcription of "shred" is /ʃrɛd/.
Shred, as a noun, refers to a small, thin strip or piece that has been torn, cut, or broken off from a larger material or object. It can be used to describe the act of tearing or cutting something into small, narrow strips or fragments. Shreds can be found in various forms, such as paper shreds, food shreds, or fabric shreds. They are often the result of deliberate actions or accidental damage and are commonly associated with something being torn apart or reduced in size.
As a verb, shred means to tear or cut something into small, narrow strips or fragments. It involves using force or sharp instruments to break a material or object into smaller pieces. Shredding is commonly done to dispose of sensitive documents or to make certain items more manageable, such as shredding cheese or vegetables for cooking. The action of shredding can also metaphorically imply the destruction or complete breakdown of something, as if reducing it to mere fragments.
In a figurative sense, the term "shred" can be used to describe a small amount or trace of something remaining. It may relate to an insignificant or minimal part of a larger idea, concept, or substance. Additionally, shred can also be used informally to describe a state of extreme physical exhaustion or tiredness, often caused by intense physical exertion or intense mental strain.
• A long narrow piece torn off; a fragment; a stripe.
• To tear or cut off into long narrow pieces, as cloth.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "shred" originated from the Old English word "screadian", which means "to cut or tear into pieces". It is closely related to the Middle Low German word "schreden" and the Middle Dutch word "schreiden", which both mean "to tear". Over time, the spelling of the word evolved into "shred", and it has been used in its current form since the 16th century.
