hut
Hut (noun) means a small, simple shelter, usually just one room, built from whatever materials are on hand. Example: “The hikers spent the night in a mountain hut.”
How to Use Hut
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, basic shelter or shed — nothing fancy, just walls and a roof.
Word Forms
hutted past tense, huts plural, huts singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hikers spent the night in a mountain _____.
Etymology
Traced back through Old French and Old High German words for a small covered shelter, ultimately from an ancient root meaning "to cover" or "hide" — the same root that gives us the word "hide."
Synonyms
View more →Related Words
Rhymes for hut
See all rhymes for hut →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “hut” mean?
The word “hut” means a small, simple shelter, usually just one room, built from whatever materials are on hand. In plain terms, a small, basic shelter or shed — nothing fancy, just walls and a roof.
How do you pronounce “hut”?
“Hut” is pronounced huht (/hʌt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hut” in a sentence?
Here is “hut” used in a sentence: “The hikers spent the night in a mountain hut.”
What part of speech is “hut”?
Depending on how it is used, “hut” can be a noun, a verb and an intj.
Where does the word “hut” come from?
The word “hut” comes from Old French. Traced back through Old French and Old High German words for a small covered shelter, ultimately from an ancient root meaning "to cover" or "hide" — the same root that gives us the word "hide.".
Is “hut” a common word?
“Hut” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “hut” have?
“Hut” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, simple shelter, usually just one room, built from whatever materials are on hand.
What is the difference between a "hut" and a "cabin"?
A "hut" is typically a small, simple shelter, usually just one room, built from whatever materials are on hand, suggesting a more basic or improvised structure. A cabin tends to imply sturdier, more permanent wooden construction, while a hut can be more temporary or rudimentary.
Why do quarterbacks shout "hut" before a play?
"Hut" is used as an interjection, a shouted signal a quarterback uses to start the play in football. This usage is completely unrelated to the noun sense of "hut" meaning a small shelter or shed.
Can "hut" be used as a verb?
Yes, "to hut" means to give someone shelter in a hut, or to take shelter in one oneself. This verb usage is far less common than the noun senses but appears in contexts describing sheltering people or animals.