hull
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for hull, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The main body of a ship, boat, or aircraft.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use hull
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English hulu, meaning the covering of a seed — related to words in other Germanic languages meaning "cover" or "wrap."
Full origin of hull →Frequently asked questions
What does “hull” mean?
The word “hull” means the main body of a ship, boat, or aircraft. In plain terms, the body of a boat, or the outer skin of a seed or fruit; as a verb, to strip that skin off.
How do you pronounce “hull”?
“Hull” is pronounced huhl (/hʌl/ in IPA).
How do you use “hull” in a sentence?
Here is “hull” used in a sentence: “Water was leaking into the ship through a crack in the hull.”
What part of speech is “hull”?
Depending on how it is used, “hull” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hull” come from?
The word “hull” comes from Old English. From Old English hulu, meaning the covering of a seed — related to words in other Germanic languages meaning "cover" or "wrap.".
Is “hull” a common word?
“Hull” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “hull” have?
“Hull” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the main body of a ship, boat, or aircraft.
What is the difference between the hull and the deck of a ship?
The hull is the main body or outer shell of the ship — the watertight structure that sits in the water. The deck is the horizontal surface built on or within the hull that people stand and work on. In short, the hull is the container and the decks are its floors.
What is the difference between a hull and a husk?
Both are outer coverings of seeds or fruits. Husk usually refers to a dry or leafy covering, like the layers around an ear of corn, while hull is the general word for the outer shell of a seed, nut, or grain. For grains such as rice, the two words are often used interchangeably.