shed

14 synonyms and 2 antonyms for shed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A small, simple structure used for storage or shelter, usually in a garden or yard.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

cast drop throw

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

hut shack discard spill

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

outbuilding molt cast off disgorge slough exuviate moult

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A small, simple structure used for storage or shelter, usually in a garden or yard.

“We built a wooden shed at the bottom of the garden for the bikes.”

hut shack outbuilding molt discard cast off

2. verb

To let something fall away or come off naturally, such as skin, hair, leaves, or tears.

“Deciduous trees shed their leaves in autumn.”

disgorge cast slough drop molt throw exuviate moult spill

3. verb

To give off or release something, such as light or unwanted weight.

“The candles shed a soft light over the dinner table.”

Opposites

retain absorb

How to use shed

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

garden shed shed light on shed weight shed tears

Etymology

From Old English scēadan, "to separate or divide" — the storage-building sense grew later from the idea of something set apart from the main house.

Full origin of shed →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shed” mean?

The word “shed” means a small, simple structure used for storage or shelter, usually in a garden or yard. In plain terms, either a small outbuilding, or the act of letting something drop off or be released, from skin to weight to tears.

How do you pronounce “shed”?

“Shed” is pronounced shehd (/ʃɛd/ in IPA).

How do you use “shed” in a sentence?

Here is “shed” used in a sentence: “He keeps his tools and the lawnmower in the garden shed.”

What part of speech is “shed”?

Depending on how it is used, “shed” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “shed” come from?

The word “shed” comes from Old English. From Old English scēadan, "to separate or divide" — the storage-building sense grew later from the idea of something set apart from the main house.

Is “shed” a common word?

“Shed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “shed” have?

“Shed” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, simple structure used for storage or shelter, usually in a garden or yard.

What is the difference between a shed and a garage?

A shed is a small, simple structure used for storage or shelter, usually in a garden or yard. A garage is typically larger and built mainly to house vehicles, often attached to a house.

What is the past tense of 'shed'?

'Shed' is an irregular verb whose past tense and past participle are also 'shed,' not 'shedded.' For example, 'the tree shed its leaves last autumn.'

What is the difference between 'shed' and 'molt'?

'Shed' is a general verb for letting something fall away naturally, such as skin, hair, leaves, or tears. 'Molt' (or 'moult') refers specifically to an animal shedding feathers, skin, or a shell as part of a growth cycle.

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drop throw cast retain hut spill absorb shack discard disgorge moult outbuilding

Nearby words

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