sift

verb

ˈsift 

sifted; sifting; sifts

transitive verb

1

a

: to put through a sieve

sift flour

b

: to separate or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve

2

: to go through especially to sort out what is useful or valuable

sifted the evidence

—often used with through

sift through a pile of old letters

3

: to scatter by or as if by sifting

sift sugar on a cake

intransitive verb

1

: to use a sieve

2

: to pass or fall as if through a sieve

sifter noun

Examples of sift in a Sentence

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl.

Sift the lumps from the sugar.

The police sifted the evidence in hopes of finding a clue.

The police sifted for clues.

The lawyer sifted through the hundreds of pages of testimony.

Firefighters sifted through the debris.

Recent Examples on the Web

While recipes and tips vary slightly, it is generally made by soaking uncooked rice in cold water and then sifting away the rice. —Alice Rosati, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024

Ingredients 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted 2 tsp. —Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2024

Fragile items can shatter, and anything that’s innately sharp will put whoever is sifting through the box in jeopardy. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024

Since 2010, the leading paint brand has helped designers and consumers sift through swatches by proclaiming an annual Color of the Year. —Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English siftan; akin to Old English sife sieve

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

sift

verb

ˈsift 

1

a

: to put through a sieve

sift flour

b

: to separate or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve

2

: to go through especially to sort out what is useful or valuable

sift evidence

sift through a pile of papers

sifter noun