noun
barnacle
BAH-nuhkl
Barnacle (noun) means a small marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to rocks, boat hulls, or other surfaces. Example: “The bottom of the boat was crusted with barnacles after a summer in the water.”
noun
1
A small marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to rocks, boat hulls, or other surfaces.
"The bottom of the boat was crusted with barnacles after a summer in the water."
How to use barnacle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small shelled sea creature that clings tightly to underwater surfaces.
Common mistake
Used figuratively for a person or thing that clings on stubbornly, e.g. "he clung to the job like a barnacle."
Common pairings
barnacle-encrusted
scrape off barnacles
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Word forms
- Plural
- barnacles
- Third person singular
- barnacles
- Past tense
- barnacled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bottom of the boat was crusted with _____ after a summer in the water.
Etymology
Origin uncertain and long debated; likely traces through Old French and Medieval Latin back to a Celtic word for rock, since barnacles cling to rocky surfaces.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for barnacle
See all rhymes for barnacle →Frequently asked questions
What does “barnacle” mean?
The word “barnacle” means a small marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to rocks, boat hulls, or other surfaces. In plain terms, a small shelled sea creature that clings tightly to underwater surfaces.
How do you pronounce “barnacle”?
“Barnacle” is pronounced BAH-nuhkl (/ˈbɑɹnəkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “barnacle” in a sentence?
Here is “barnacle” used in a sentence: “The bottom of the boat was crusted with barnacles after a summer in the water.”
What part of speech is “barnacle”?
“Barnacle” is a noun.
Where does the word “barnacle” come from?
The word “barnacle” comes from Medieval Latin. Origin uncertain and long debated; likely traces through Old French and Medieval Latin back to a Celtic word for rock, since barnacles cling to rocky surfaces.
