shall S1 W1 /ʃ ə l; strong ʃæl/ BrE AmE modal verb ( negative short form shan’t )
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: sceal ]
1 . shall I/we ... ? spoken used to make a suggestion, or ask a question that you want the other person to decide about:
Shall I open the window?
Shall we say 6 o'clock, then?
What shall I get for dinner?
2 . I/we shall especially British English formal used to say what you will do in the future:
We shall be away next week.
I shall have to be careful.
I’ve never liked her and I never shall.
We shall have finished by Friday.
3 . formal or old-fashioned used to emphasize that something will definitely happen, or that you are determined that something should happen:
The truth shall make you free.
I said you could go, and so you shall.
4 . formal used in official documents to state an order, law, promise etc:
All payments shall be made in cash.