What is shell? Pronunciation and usage in English

shell means . Learn how to pronounce and use shell through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of shell

shellnoun

/ʃɛl/
Definition & pronunciation of shell

The word "shell" is pronounced "shel".

Here's a breakdown:

  • "sh" - pronounced like the "sh" in "ship"
  • "ell" - pronounced like the "ell" in "hello"

It's a short, quick pronunciation.

You can hear it pronounced here: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/shell

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  • Give you some examples of how it's used in a sentence?

Usage and examples with the word shell in English

Let's break down how to use the word "shell" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. As a Marine Animal (Most Common Usage)

  • Definition: A large, spiral-shaped marine mollusk with a hard, protective outer layer (the shell).
  • Examples:
    • "The beach was covered in beautiful seashells."
    • "The hermit crab carried its new home – a small shell – on its back."
    • "Researchers are studying the shells of ancient clams to learn about past climates."

2. As a Protective Covering (Figurative)

  • Definition: Something that shields or covers something else, often implying a vulnerability.
  • Examples:
    • "The company formed a legal shell corporation to hide its true activities." (A front company)
    • "After the explosion, the building was left with a hollow shell of its former self." (reduced to a ruined framework)
    • “She created a shell of politeness to hide her anger.” (a superficial display)

3. In Computer Science (Command Prompt)

  • Definition: A command-line interpreter – a program that allows you to interact with a computer’s operating system by typing text commands.
  • Examples:
    • "I opened a shell to access the server remotely."
    • "The shell allows you to run commands like ‘ls’ (list files) or ‘cd’ (change directory)."
    • “He frequently uses the command shell to debug his code.”

4. As a Container (Less Common)

  • Definition: A container, often curved; like a small cup or dish.
  • Examples:
    • "She used a seashell as a tiny cup for her jewelry."
    • “The shell of an egg is protective.”

5. Figurative – "Shell Shocked" (Emotional Response)

  • Definition: Overwhelmed with shock, horror, or distress.
  • Examples:
    • “He was shell-shocked after hearing the news.”
    • “She was shell-shocked by the beauty of the landscape.”

6. Slang - "Shelling Out" (Spending Money)

  • Definition: To spend a lot of money. (Often used in British English)
  • Examples:
    • "I had to shell out a lot of money for the tickets."
    • “Don’t shell out for that expensive gadget; there are cheaper alternatives.”

Tips for Using "Shell" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of “shell” depends heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Consider the Tone: "Shell-shocked" carries a particular emotional weight, signaling a significant emotional reaction.
  • Regional Variations: "Shelling out" is more common in British English.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you planning to use “shell” in? (e.g., writing a story, a technical report, a casual conversation?)

Synonyms for the word shell

Idioms of the word shell

come out of your shell
to become less shy and more confident when talking to other people
  • He’s really come out of his shell since he met Marie.
to go, retreat, etc. into your shell
to become shyer and avoid talking to other people
  • Whenever my friends are here, she just withdraws into her shell.

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