shell
gb/ʃˈɛl/ us/ʃˈɛl/
A2
English
~ 2900
héj, kagylóhéj, páncél, váz, üres héj, tüzérségi lövedék, gránát, megpucol, fejt, feltör, ágyúz, tüzérségi tűz alá vesz
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[animal/seed] has a shell
The crab's shell was tough and difficult to break.
A rák páncélja kemény volt, és nehéz volt feltörni.
She collected colorful shells from the beach.
Színes kagylóhéjakat gyűjtött a tengerparton.
Peanuts have a thin, papery shell around them.
The turtle pulled its head inside its shell for safety.
Learner examples
The snail has a small shell.
A csigának kis csigaháza van.
I saw a big shell on the sand.
Egy nagy kagylóhéjat láttam a homokon.
The nut has a hard shell.
The turtle hides in its shell.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'shell' with 'skin' when talking about fruit; 'shell' is used for harder coverings.
Meaning
Hard outer covering
Collocations
egg shell
|turtle shell
|nut shell
|sea shell
Synonyms
husk (Used mainly for the dry outer covering of seeds or fruits rather than animals.)
|
carapace (A more technical term for the hard shell of some animals, such as turtles or crabs.)
Antonyms
core (Refers to the central part of something, opposite to the outer covering.)
Themes
nature
|biology
|food
|animals
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A hard outside part that covers and protects some animals or seeds.
The hard, protective outer layer of certain animals, such as mollusks and crustaceans, or of seeds and nuts.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is just a shell
The building was reduced to a charred shell after the fire.
A tűz után az épületből csak egy kiégett váz maradt.
The car was just a rusting shell in the junkyard.
Az autó már csak egy rozsdásodó váz volt a roncstelepen.
Only the shell of the old stadium remains.
Learner examples
The old house is only a shell now.
A régi házból mára csak a váza maradt.
After the fire, we saw the shell of the shop.
A tűz után már csak a bolt kiégett vázát láttuk.
The car was just a shell without seats.
Meaning
Empty outer structure
Collocations
burned-out shell
|empty shell
|steel shell
Synonyms
husk (Implies something dry and lifeless remaining after the useful part is gone.)
|
remnant (General term for what is left over, not necessarily an outer part.)
Antonyms
whole (Something complete with both inside and outside intact.)
Themes
objects
|destruction
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The outside part of something when the inside is gone.
An outer case or framework that remains when the inside has been removed or is gone.
NOUN
B2
3
gránát
B2
The soldiers took cover from incoming shells.
A katonák fedezékbe húzódtak a becsapódó gránátok elől.
An artillery shell landed near the camp.
Egy tüzérségi lövedék csapódott be a tábor közelében.
They found an unexploded shell in the field.
Learner examples
The army fired many shells at night.
A hadsereg éjszaka sok gránátot lőtt ki.
A big shell hit the wall.
Egy nagy lövedék csapódott a falba.
We saw an old shell on the ground.
Meaning
Explosive projectile casing
Collocations
artillery shell
|mortar shell
|shell burst
Synonyms
projectile (General term for any object thrown or fired, not necessarily explosive.)
Themes
military
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A metal object with explosives that is fired from a big gun.
A metal container filled with explosives, fired from a gun or cannon.
VERB
A2
4
Usage pattern:
to shell [nuts/peas/shrimp]
She spent the afternoon shelling peas for dinner.
Az egész délutánt azzal töltötte, hogy borsót fejtett a vacsorához.
We need to shell the shrimp before cooking them.
A garnélát főzés előtt meg kell pucolnunk.
He shelled a handful of peanuts.
Learner examples
I help my mother shell peas.
Segítek anyukámnak borsót fejteni.
We must shell the nuts before eating them.
Evés előtt fel kell törnünk a diókat.
She shells shrimp in the kitchen.
Meaning
Remove hard outer covering
Collocations
shell peas
|shell peanuts
|shell shrimp
Synonyms
peel (Usually refers to removing softer skin rather than hard shells.)
Themes
cooking
|food
|food_drink
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To take off the hard outside part of nuts, peas, or seafood.
To remove the hard outer covering from nuts, peas, seafood, or similar items.
VERB
B2
5
ágyúz
B2
Usage pattern:
to shell [a place]
The army shelled the rebel stronghold for hours.
A hadsereg órákon át ágyúzta a lázadók erődítményét.
They began to shell the coastal town at dawn.
Hajnalban ágyúzni kezdték a part menti várost.
Enemy forces shelled the base repeatedly.
Learner examples
The soldiers shelled the city.
A katonák ágyúzták a várost.
They shelled the fort at night.
Éjszaka ágyúzták az erődöt.
The army will shell that hill tomorrow.
Meaning
Bombard with explosive projectiles
Collocations
shell enemy positions
|shell the city
Synonyms
bombard (Can refer to any heavy attack, not only with shells.)
Themes
military
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To shoot big explosive bullets at a place.
To attack a place by firing shells from guns or cannons.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shell
IPA
GB/ʃˈɛl/
US/ʃˈɛl/
Syllables & stress
shell (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (shell)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shell
- Plural: shell, shells
Verb
- Base: shell
- 3rd Person Singular: shells
- Present Participle: shelling
- Past: shelled
Word family
Forms
shells
noun
shelling
verb
shelled
verb
Related words
seashell
noun
shellfish
noun
Expressions
come out of your shell
1/kˈʌm ˈaʊt əv jˈʊɹ ʃˈɛl/
idiom
Become more sociable
To start talking and taking part more after being shy.
Examples
- She really came out of her shell after joining the theater group.
- He's finally coming out of his shell at work.
hard shell
1/hˈɑɹd ʃˈɛl/
fixed phrase
Firm protective layer
A strong outside part that protects something inside.
Examples
- This crab has a very hard shell.
- The candy has a hard shell but is soft inside.
in a nutshell
1/ˈɪn ə nˈʌtʃˌɛl/
idiom
Summarize briefly
To say something in a short and clear way.
Examples
- In a nutshell, we need more time to finish.
- He explained the problem in a nutshell.
in a nutshell
1/ˈɪn ə nˈʌtʃˌɛl/
idiom
briefly; in very few words
In a short and simple way.
Examples
- In a nutshell, the project is over budget and behind schedule.
- He explained the rules in a nutshell and then answered questions.
- That’s the problem, in a nutshell.
Learner examples
- In a nutshell, I can’t come today.
- Tell me your idea in a nutshell.
shell out (for)
1/ʃˈɛl ˈaʊt fɚ/
phrasal verb
informal
Pay money unwillingly
To spend money on something, especially when you don't want to.
Examples
- I had to shell out $200 for car repairs.
- They shelled out for a new sofa.