If you shell out for something, you spend a lot of money on it.
top-shell
any marine gastropod mollusc of the mainly tropical Old World family Trochidae, having a typically brightly coloured top-shaped or conical shell
band shell
an outdoor platform for concerts , having a concave , nearly hemispherical back serving as a sounding board
Capiz shell
whitish, translucent shell of the Philippines , used in making lamp shades , decorative articles, etc.
cone shell
any of various tropical marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Conus and related genera, having a smooth conical shell
half shell
either of the two shells of a bivalve mollusk
hard-shell
having a shell or carapace that is thick, heavy, or hard
lamp shell
any of various brachiopods
otter shell
a person or thing that gapes
patty shell
a shell made from pastry dough , for holding fruit, cream , etc
razor shell
any of various sand-burrowing bivalve molluscs of the genera Ensis and Solen , which have a long tubular shell
shell bean
any of various bean plants that are cultivated for their edible seeds rather than for their pods
shell game
a game, typically a swindle , in which spectators are challenged to bet on the location of a small object ostensibly concealed under one of three cups or nutshells manipulated by sleight of hand
shell gland
a gland in certain invertebrates that secretes the components required for forming the shell of an egg
shell-like
resembling the empty shell of a mollusc
shell pink
delicate whitish to yellow pink
shell shock
Shell shock is the confused or nervous mental condition of people who have been under fire in a war .
shell star
a type of star, usually of spectral type B to F , surrounded by a gaseous shell
shell steak
a cut of steak from the short loin
shell suit
A shell suit is a casual suit which is made of thin nylon.
snail shell
the spirally coiled shell of a snail
soft-shell
having a soft shell
star shell
an artillery shell containing a flare or other illuminant : often containing a parachute to prolong the descent of the illuminating material
tooth shell
→ scaphopod
tusk shell
any of various burrowing seashore molluscs of the genus Dentalium and related genera that have a long narrow tubular shell open at both ends: class Scaphopoda
Venus shell
a marine bivalve mollusc of the family Veneridae , typified by the intertidal Venus gallina, with somewhat rounded ribbed valves
abalone shell
the shell of the abalone mollusc , used for ornament or decoration
capsule shell
A capsule shell is an outer skin in which a medicinal substance is contained.
jingle shell
the bivalve shell of a mollusc ( Placuna placenta ) found esp in the Philippines and having a smooth translucent shiny interior: used in jewellery , ornaments, lampshades , etc
oyster shell
the shell of an oyster
scallop shell
the shell of a scallop
shell company
A shell company is a company that another company takes over in order to use its name to gain an advantage .
shell jacket
an army officer's waist-length mess jacket
shell program
A shell program is a basic computer program that provides a framework within which the user can develop the program to suit their own needs .
shell-shocked
If you say that someone is shell-shocked , you mean that they are very shocked , usually because something bad has happened .
window shell
the bivalve shell of a mollusc ( Placuna placenta ) found esp in the Philippines and having a smooth translucent shiny interior: used in jewellery , ornaments, lampshades , etc
hard-shell clam
an edible clam , Venus (or Mercenaria ) mercenaria, native to the Atlantic coast of North America, having a large heavy rounded shell
hard-shell crab
a crab , esp of the edible species Cancer pagurus, that has not recently moulted and therefore has a hard shell
soft-shell clam
any of several marine clams of the genus Mya , esp M. arenaria, an edible species of coastal regions of the US and Europe , having a thin brittle shell
soft-shell crab
a crab , esp of the edible species Cancer pagurus, that has recently moulted and has not yet formed its new shell
eggshell
An eggshell is the hard covering on the outside of an egg.
seashell
Seashells are the empty shells of small sea creatures .
coat-of-mail shell
(in ancient Greece and Rome ) a loose woollen tunic worn knee length by men and full length by women
high-explosive shell
a shell containing high explosive
on the half shell
served raw , with seasonings , on a half shell
play a shell game
to deliberately deceive people, for example by changing things or pretending to change things, in order to gain an advantage
acorn barnacle
any of various barnacles , such as Balanus balanoides, that live attached to rocks and have a volcano-shaped shell from the top of which protrude feathery food-catching appendages ( cirri )
butter clam
any of a genus ( Saxidomus ) of large, edible clams found along the Pacific coast of North America
the protective outer layer of an egg, fruit, or nut
They cracked the nuts and removed their shells.
Synonyms
husk
a grey squirrel nibbling on a peanut husk
case
Vanilla is the seed case of a South American orchid.
pod
Remove the peas from their pods.
shuck
2 (noun)
Definition
the hard outer covering of an animal such as a crab or tortoise
The baby tortoise tucked his head in his shell.
Synonyms
carapace
armour
3 (noun)
a lonely boy struggling to emerge from his shell
Synonyms
shyness
Eventually she overcame her shyness.
modesty
His modesty does him credit.
lack of confidence
self-consciousness
nervousness
reticence
timidity
diffidence
He spoke with a certain diffidence.
bashfulness
Suddenly overcome with bashfulness, he lowered his voice.
timorousness
mousiness
timidness
4 (noun)
Definition
the external structure of a building, car, or ship, esp. one that is unfinished or gutted by fire
The solid feel of the car's shell is impressive.
Synonyms
frame
He supplied housebuilders with modern timber frames.
structure
hull
The hull had suffered extensive damage to the starboard side.
framework
wooden shelves on a steel framework
skeleton
Only skeletons of buildings remained in the area.
chassis
5 (noun)
Definition
a small-arms cartridge
the whistling screech of an enemy shell
Synonyms
missile
nuclear missiles
shot
These guns are lighter and take more shot for their size.
bullet
There are three bullet holes in the windscreen.
slug
cartridge
Gun and cartridge manufacturers will lose money if the game laws are amended.
pellet
He was taken to hospital for treatment to pellet wounds.
projectile
an enormous artillery gun used to fire a huge projectile
1 (verb)
Definition
to remove the shell or husk from
She shelled and ate a few nuts.
Synonyms
remove the shells from
pod
husk
shuck (US)
2 (verb)
Definition
to attack with artillery shells
The rebels shelled the densely-populated suburbs near the port.
Synonyms
bomb
Airforce jets bombed the city at night.
barrage
bombard
Rebel artillery units have regularly bombarded the airport.
attack
strike
This issue strikes at the very foundation of our community.
blitz
strafe
phrasal verb
See shell something out
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bashfulness
Suddenly overcome with bashfulness, he lowered his voice.
Synonyms
shyness,
reserve,
embarrassment,
constraint,
hesitation,
modesty,
nervousness,
lack of confidence,
reticence,
self-consciousness,
timidity,
diffidence,
coyness,
timorousness,
mousiness,
sheepishness,
timidness
in the sense of bombard
Definition
to attack with concentrated artillery fire or bombs
Rebel artillery units have regularly bombarded the airport.
Synonyms
bomb,
shell,
blast,
blitz,
open fire,
strafe,
fire upon
in the sense of bullet
Definition
a small metallic missile used as the projectile of a gun or rifle
There are three bullet holes in the windscreen.
Synonyms
projectile,
ball,
shot,
missile,
slug,
pellet
Synonyms of 'shell'
shell
Explore 'shell' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cartridge
Definition
a metal casing containing an explosive charge and bullet for a gun
Gun and cartridge manufacturers will lose money if the game laws are amended.
Synonyms
shell,
round,
charge
in the sense of case
Definition
a protective outer covering
Vanilla is the seed case of a South American orchid.
Synonyms
covering,
casing,
cover,
shell,
wrapping,
jacket,
envelope,
capsule,
folder,
sheath,
wrapper,
integument
in the sense of chassis
Synonyms
frame,
skeleton,
anatomy
in the sense of diffidence
He spoke with a certain diffidence.
Synonyms
shyness,
fear,
reserve,
hesitation,
doubt,
constraint,
reluctance,
insecurity,
modesty,
humility,
self-consciousness,
timidity,
backwardness,
hesitancy,
meekness,
lack of self-confidence,
bashfulness,
timorousness,
unassertiveness,
sheepishness,
timidness
in the sense of framework
Definition
a structure supporting something
wooden shelves on a steel framework
Synonyms
structure,
body,
frame,
foundation,
shell,
fabric,
skeleton
in the sense of hull
Definition
the main body of a boat
The hull had suffered extensive damage to the starboard side.
Synonyms
framework,
casing,
body,
covering,
frame,
skeleton
in the sense of modesty
His modesty does him credit.
Synonyms
reserve,
decency,
humility,
shyness,
propriety,
reticence,
timidity,
diffidence,
quietness,
coyness,
self-effacement,
meekness,
lack of pretension,
bashfulness,
humbleness,
unpretentiousness,
demureness,
unobtrusiveness,
discreetness
in the sense of pellet
Definition
a piece of small shot
He was taken to hospital for treatment to pellet wounds.
Synonyms
bullet,
shot,
buckshot,
lead shot
in the sense of pod
Definition
the seedcase as distinct from the seeds
Remove the peas from their pods.
Synonyms
shell,
case,
hull,
husk,
shuck
in the sense of projectile
Definition
an object thrown as a weapon or fired from a gun
an enormous artillery gun used to fire a huge projectile
Synonyms
missile,
shell,
bullet,
rocket
Additional synonyms
in the sense of shot
Definition
small round lead pellets used in shotguns
These guns are lighter and take more shot for their size.
Synonyms
ammunition,
bullet,
slug,
pellet,
projectile,
lead,
ball
in the sense of skeleton
Definition
the essential framework of any structure
Only skeletons of buildings remained in the area.
Synonyms
frame,
shell,
framework,
basic structure
in the sense of strike
This issue strikes at the very foundation of our community.
Synonyms
attack,
hit,
affect,
assault,
devastate,
invade,
smite,
assail,
fall upon,
set upon,
deal a blow to
shell
(ʃel)
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense shells, present participle shelling, past tense, past participle shelled
1. countable noun
The shell of a nut or egg is the hard covering which surrounds it.
They cracked the nuts and removed their shells.
Once the eggs have hatched the shells are left behind.
Synonyms: husk, case, pod, shuck More Synonyms of shell
Shell is the substance that a shell is made of.
...beads made from ostrich egg shell.
2. countable noun
The shell of an animal such as a tortoise, snail, or crab is the hard protective covering that it has around its body or on its back.
3. countable noun
Shells are hard objects found on beaches. They are usually pink, white, or brown and are the coverings which used to surround small sea creatures.
I collect shells and interesting seaside items.
...sea shells.
4. verb
If you shell nuts, peas, prawns, or other food, you remove their natural outer covering.
She shelled and ate a few nuts. [VERB noun]
...shelled prawns. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: remove the shells from, pod, husk, shuck [US] More Synonyms of shell
5. countable noun [usually poss NOUN]
If someone comes out of their shell, they become more friendly and interested in other people and less quiet, shy, and reserved.
Her normally shy son had come out of his shell.
...a lonely boy struggling to emerge from his shell.
Synonyms: shyness, modesty, lack of confidence, self-consciousness More Synonyms of shell
6. countable noun
The shell of a building, boat, car, or other structure is the outside frame of it.
...the shells of burned buildings. [+ of]
The solid feel of the car's shell is impressive.
Synonyms: frame, structure, hull, framework More Synonyms of shell
7. countable noun
A shell is a weapon consisting of a metal container filled with explosives that can be firedfrom a large gun over long distances.
8. verb
To shell a place means to fire explosive shells at it.
The rebels shelled the densely-populated suburbs near the port. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: bomb, barrage, bombard, attack More Synonyms of shell
shellingWord forms: plural shellingsvariable noun
Out on the streets, the shelling continued.
Phrasal verbs:
See shell out
More Synonyms of shell
she'll
(ʃiːl, ʃɪl)
She'll is the usual spoken form of 'she will'.
Sharon was a wonderful lady and I know she'll be greatly missed.
shell in British English
(ʃɛl)
noun
1.
the protective calcareous or membranous outer layer of an egg, esp a bird's egg
2.
the hard outer covering of many molluscs that is secreted by the mantle
3.
any other hard outer layer, such as the exoskeleton of many arthropods
4.
the hard outer layer of some fruits, esp of nuts
5.
any hard outer case
6.
a hollow artillery projectile filled with explosive primed to explode either during flight, on impact, or after penetration
Compare ball1 (sense 7a)
7.
a small-arms cartridge comprising a hollow casing inside which is the primer, charge, and bullet
8.
a pyrotechnic cartridge designed to explode in the air
9. rowing
a very light narrow racing boat
10.
the external structure of a building, esp one that is unfinished or one that has been gutted by fire
11.
the basic structural case of something, such as a machine, vehicle, etc
12. physics
a.
a class of electron orbits in an atom in which the electrons have the same principal quantum number and orbital angular momentum quantum number and differences in their energy are small compared with differences in energy between shells
b.
an analogous energy state of nucleons in certain theories (shell models) of the structure of the atomic nucleus
13.
the pastry case of a pie, flan, etc
14.
a thin slab of concrete or a skeletal framework made of wood or metal that forms a shell-like roof
15. British
(in some schools) a class or form
16. come out of one's shell
17. bring out of one's shell
verb
18.
to divest or be divested of a shell, husk, pod, etc
19.
to separate or be separated from an ear, husk, cob, etc
20. (transitive)
to bombard with artillery shells
Derived forms
shell-less (ˈshell-less)
adjective
shelly (ˈshelly)
adjective
Word origin
Old English sciell; related to Old Norse skel shell, Gothic skalja tile, Middle Low German schelle shell; see scale1, shale
she'll in British English
(ʃiːl, unstressed ʃɪl)
contraction of
she will or she shall
she'll in American English
(ʃi; ʃɪl)
1.
she will
2.
she shall
shell in American English
(ʃɛl)
noun
1.
a hard outer covering, as of a turtle, mollusk, insect, egg, fruit, seed, etc.
2.
something like or suggestive of a shell in being hollow, empty, or simply a covering or framework, as the hull of a boat, a hollow pastry or unfilled pie crust, the framework of a building, a structure with an arched or hemispherical roof or back, a tapered beer glass, etc.
3.
a shy, reserved, or uncommunicative attitude or manner
to come out of one's shell
4. US
a woman's simple sleeveless blouse or sweater
5. US
a long, narrow, thin-hulled racing boat rowed usually by a team of oarsmen
6.
an explosive artillery projectile containing high explosives and sometimes shrapnel, chemicals, etc.
7. US
a cartridge for small arms or small artillery, consisting of a metal, paper, or plastic case holding the primer, powder charge, and shot or bullet
8.
a pyrotechnic cartridge which explodes high in the air
9.
a.
a mollusk
b. [pl.]
shellfish
10. Chemistry and Physics
a.
any of the spherical or elliptical orbits of electrons around the nucleus of an atom, each with the same principal quantumnumber and about the same energy
b.
the space taken up by such an orbit
c.
a grouping of like nucleons of approximately the same energy in the nucleus
verb transitive
11.
to remove the shell or covering from; take out of the shell
to shell peas, oysters, etc.
12.
to separate kernels or grains of (corn, wheat, etc.) from the cob or ear
13.
to fire shells at from a large gun or guns; bombard
verb intransitive
14.
to separate from the shell or covering
peanuts shell easily
15.
to fall, slough, or peel off, as a shell
16. US
to gather or collect shells
Idioms:
shell out
Derived forms
shell-like (ˈshell-ˌlike)
adjective
shelly (ˈshelly)
adjective
Word origin
ME schelle < OE sciel, akin to MDu schelle < IE base *(s)kel-: see shelf
shell in Mechanical Engineering
(ʃɛl)
Word forms: (regular plural) shells
noun
(Mechanical engineering: General)
The shell of a machine or vehicle is its basic structure.
The car's shell (minus the doors, trunk lid, hood, and fenders) is lowered onto the chassis so thebodywork can be assembled.
Editing techniques let designers create shells of products such as fuselages.
The shell of a machine or vehicle is its basic structure.
More idioms containing
shell
come out of your shell
play a shell game
Examples of 'shell' in a sentence
shell
They had three months to erect the shell of the building.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
One of the engineers was injured when a hot shell case landed on his neck.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The hard shell serves as the backing and bottom and is filled with padding.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You probably have a slightly harder outer shell due to what you have experienced.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
One of the tanks on the range fired a shell.
Oliver Poole BLACK KNIGHTS: On the Bloody Road to Baghdad (2003)
There are no carpets or panels in the reinforced body shell and no back seats either.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Vets took an hour to cut through the base of her shell and remove it.
The Sun (2008)
Leave the whole clam in one of its shells and discard the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Cut through the muscle holding the flat shell in place.
Conil, Jean & Conil, Christopher (ed) A Passion for Food (1989)
They use the acids in orange juice and vinegar to dissolve the shells of raw eggs.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Use the empty shells as serving dishes and fill with the white meat mixture.
The Sun (2014)
The hard crimson shell retains the moisture for long periods.
Smith, Drew Food Watch (1994)
We are obsessed with shallow outer shells.
The Sun (2013)
It did not say who had fired the shells.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The creature bore only a partial shell on its back and displayed broadened ribs.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It was still certainly impossible to distinguish one shell from another.
Kishlansky, Mark A. (editor) Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume 1: From the Beginningto 1715 (1995)
Residents said that they suffered burns on their feet when they walked where the shelling had taken place.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But the building was a shell.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is allowed to crash into the earth, in the manner of artillery shells.
Baxter, Stephen Anti-Ice (1993)
He was fixing his car when the shell landed in front of the simple home where he and his familylived as fruit farmers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But I had to shell out for car repairs recently and it cost me a fortune.
The Sun (2012)
Word lists with
shell
terms used in architecture
In other languages
shell
British English: shell /ʃɛl/ NOUN
egg, nut The shell of an egg or nut is its hard part.
American English: shell
Arabic: قِشْر
Brazilian Portuguese: casca
Chinese: 壳
Croatian: školjka
Czech: skořápka
Danish: skal
Dutch: dop
European Spanish: cáscara
Finnish: kuori kova
French: coquille coquillage
German: Schale Tier
Greek: κέλυφος
Italian: conchiglia
Japanese: 殻
Korean: 껍데기
Norwegian: skjell
Polish: skorupka
European Portuguese: casca
Romanian: găoace
Russian: раковина
Latin American Spanish: cáscara
Swedish: snäcka
Thai: เปลือก
Turkish: kabuk
Ukrainian: шкаралупа
Vietnamese: vỏ ốc
British English: shell /ʃɛl/ NOUN
animal The shell of an animal such as a snail is the hard part that covers its back and protects it.
American English: shell
Arabic: صَدَفَة
Brazilian Portuguese: concha
Chinese: 壳
Croatian: oklop
Czech: ulita
Danish: skal
Dutch: omhulsel
European Spanish: concha
Finnish: kuori
French: coquilleescargot
German: Schale
Greek: κέλυφος
Italian: guscio
Japanese: 殻
Korean: 껍데기
Norwegian: skall
Polish: muszla
European Portuguese: carapaça
Romanian: cochilie
Russian: раковинаулитки
Latin American Spanish: concha
Swedish: skal
Thai: เปลือก
Turkish: kabuk
Ukrainian: панцир
Vietnamese: vỏ
British English: shell VERB
If you shell nuts, peas, prawns, or other food, you remove their natural outer covering.