hamlet
3 synonyms for hamlet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A very small settlement, smaller than a village, often just a cluster of houses without its own church or local government.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use hamlet
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a small hamlet
a sleepy hamlet
a remote hamlet
Etymology
From Old French hamelet, a diminutive of hamel, itself a diminutive of ham ("home, village"), ultimately from the same Germanic root as the English word "home."
Full origin of hamlet →Frequently asked questions
What does “hamlet” mean?
The word “hamlet” means a very small settlement, smaller than a village, often just a cluster of houses without its own church or local government. In plain terms, a tiny settlement, smaller than a village.
How do you pronounce “hamlet”?
“Hamlet” is pronounced HAM-liht (/ˈhæm.lət/ in IPA).
How do you use “hamlet” in a sentence?
Here is “hamlet” used in a sentence: “The road wound through a tiny hamlet of no more than a dozen cottages.”
What part of speech is “hamlet”?
“Hamlet” is a noun.
Where does the word “hamlet” come from?
The word “hamlet” comes from Old French. From Old French hamelet, a diminutive of hamel, itself a diminutive of ham ("home, village"), ultimately from the same Germanic root as the English word "home.".
Is “hamlet” a common word?
“Hamlet” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a hamlet and a village?
A hamlet is smaller than a village and typically consists of just a cluster of houses, often lacking its own church or local government, whereas a village usually has both. Size and the presence of local institutions are the main distinguishing factors.
Does a hamlet have its own local government?
No, a hamlet is generally too small to have its own church or local government, distinguishing it from larger settlements like villages that typically do.
Is a hamlet the same as Shakespeare's Hamlet?
No, the lowercase noun "hamlet" describing a very small settlement is unrelated to "Hamlet," the capitalized name of Shakespeare's famous play and title character; the two are simply spelled and pronounced the same way.
