shell
gb/ʃˈɛl/ us/ʃˈɛl/
A2
Inglés
~ 2900
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
A2
entity
1
Hard outer covering
A hard outside part that covers and protects some animals or seeds.
Patrón de uso:
[animal/seed] has a shell
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse 'shell' with 'skin' when talking about fruit; 'shell' is used for harder coverings.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
core (Refers to the central part of something, opposite to the outer covering.)
Colocaciones
egg shell
|turtle shell
|nut shell
|sea shell
Temas
nature
|biology
|food
|animals
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Sustantivo
B1
entity
2
Empty outer structure
The outside part of something when the inside is gone.
Patrón de uso:
[something] is just a shell
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
whole (Something complete with both inside and outside intact.)
Colocaciones
burned-out shell
|empty shell
|steel shell
Temas
objects
|destruction
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Sustantivo
B2
entity
3
Explosive projectile casing
A metal object with explosives that is fired from a big gun.
Sinónimos
projectile (General term for any object thrown or fired, not necessarily explosive.)
Colocaciones
artillery shell
|mortar shell
|shell burst
Temas
military
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The soldiers took cover from incoming shells.
- An artillery shell landed near the camp.
- They found an unexploded shell in the field.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The army fired many shells at night.
- A big shell hit the wall.
- We saw an old shell on the ground.
Verbo
A2
action
4
Remove hard outer covering
To take off the hard outside part of nuts, peas, or seafood.
Patrón de uso:
to shell [nuts/peas/shrimp]
Sinónimos
peel (Usually refers to removing softer skin rather than hard shells.)
Colocaciones
shell peas
|shell peanuts
|shell shrimp
Temas
cooking
|food
|food_drink
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She spent the afternoon shelling peas for dinner.
- We need to shell the shrimp before cooking them.
- He shelled a handful of peanuts.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I help my mother shell peas.
- We must shell the nuts before eating them.
- She shells shrimp in the kitchen.
Verbo
B2
action
5
Bombard with explosive projectiles
To shoot big explosive bullets at a place.
Patrón de uso:
to shell [a place]
Sinónimos
bombard (Can refer to any heavy attack, not only with shells.)
Colocaciones
shell enemy positions
|shell the city
Temas
military
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The army shelled the rebel stronghold for hours.
- They began to shell the coastal town at dawn.
- Enemy forces shelled the base repeatedly.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The soldiers shelled the city.
- They shelled the fort at night.
- The army will shell that hill tomorrow.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
shell
AFI
GB/ʃˈɛl/
US/ʃˈɛl/
Sílabas y acento
shell (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (shell)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: shell
- Plural: shell, shells
Verb
- Base: shell
- 3rd Person Singular: shells
- Present Participle: shelling
- Past: shelled
Familia de palabras
Forms
shells
noun
shelling
verb
shelled
verb
Related words
seashell
noun
shellfish
noun
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- I had to shell out $200 for car repairs.
- They shelled out for a new sofa.