What does the Arabic word shirk mean?

Shirk means to associate Partners with Almighty Allah (God). It is of two kinds

1. Shirk in Person. To say that there are two or more gods along with Almighty Allah. These gods also deserve worship. They enjoy equal powers to Almighty Allah.

2. Shirk in the Attributes (Qualities/capabilities) of Allah. To accept that there only One Almighty Allah, yet there are some pious people/peers/aulias/ deities / who can work in the scheme of universe and can exercise their powers to give benefit or to do harm to people against the Will of Almighty Allah. People call upon these personalities (dead or alive) for help. This is also Shirk.

The opposite of Shirk is Tauheed. To believe that there is no god except ONE and ONLY Almighty Allah. He has no Son, No Parents, No Partner and No Associate what so ever. He and He alone deserves Worship.