noun

hatch

hach

noun

A small door or opening, often in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle.

"The submarine crew climbed out through the top hatch."

verb

For a young animal to break out of its egg, or for an egg to produce a young animal.

"The chicks hatched after twenty-one days."

To plan or devise something, especially a scheme.

"The two of them hatched a plot to surprise her on her birthday."

How to Use Hatch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a small door/opening, or the act of an egg producing a baby animal — also used figuratively for cooking up a plan.

Common pairings

hatch a plan hatch a plot emergency hatch

hatched past tense, hatched past tense, hatched past tense, hatches plural, hatches plural, hatches singular, hatches singular, hatches singular

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The submarine crew climbed out through the top _____.

From Old English hæċ, an old Germanic word for a gate or half-door — related to modern "hedge" and the German word Heck.

tch etch itch Dutch catch batch pitch watch witch hutch ditch match