shell
gb/ʃˈɛl/ us/ʃˈɛl/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Hard outer covering
A hard outside part that covers and protects some animals or seeds.
Usage pattern:
[animal/seed] has a shell
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'shell' with 'skin' when talking about fruit; 'shell' is used for harder coverings.
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.)
Collocations
egg shell
|turtle shell
|nut shell
|sea shell
Themes
nature
|biology
|food
|animals
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The crab's shell was tough and difficult to break.
- She collected colorful shells from the beach.
- 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.
- I saw a big shell on the sand.
- The nut has a hard shell.
- The turtle hides in its shell.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Empty outer structure
The outside part of something when the inside is gone.
Usage pattern:
[something] is just a 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.)
Collocations
burned-out shell
|empty shell
|steel shell
Themes
objects
|destruction
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The building was reduced to a charred shell after the fire.
- The car was just a rusting shell in the junkyard.
- Only the shell of the old stadium remains.
Learner examples
- The old house is only a shell now.
- After the fire, we saw the shell of the shop.
- The car was just a shell without seats.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Explosive projectile casing
A metal object with explosives that is fired from a big gun.
Synonyms
projectile (General term for any object thrown or fired, not necessarily explosive.)
Collocations
artillery shell
|mortar shell
|shell burst
Themes
military
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The soldiers took cover from incoming shells.
- An artillery shell landed near the camp.
- They found an unexploded shell in the field.
Learner examples
- The army fired many shells at night.
- A big shell hit the wall.
- We saw an old shell on the ground.
Verb
A2
action
4
Remove hard outer covering
To take off the hard outside part of nuts, peas, or seafood.
Usage pattern:
to shell [nuts/peas/shrimp]
Synonyms
peel (Usually refers to removing softer skin rather than hard shells.)
Collocations
shell peas
|shell peanuts
|shell shrimp
Themes
cooking
|food
|food_drink
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She spent the afternoon shelling peas for dinner.
- We need to shell the shrimp before cooking them.
- He shelled a handful of peanuts.
Learner examples
- I help my mother shell peas.
- We must shell the nuts before eating them.
- She shells shrimp in the kitchen.
Verb
B2
action
5
Bombard with explosive projectiles
To shoot big explosive bullets at a place.
Usage pattern:
to shell [a place]
Synonyms
bombard (Can refer to any heavy attack, not only with shells.)
Collocations
shell enemy positions
|shell the city
Themes
military
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The army shelled the rebel stronghold for hours.
- They began to shell the coastal town at dawn.
- Enemy forces shelled the base repeatedly.
Learner examples
- The soldiers shelled the city.
- They shelled the fort at night.
- The army will shell that hill tomorrow.
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.
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.