hatch
hach
Hatch (noun) means a small door or opening, often in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle. Example: “He lifted the loft hatch and climbed up to find the old suitcase.”
noun
1
A small door or opening, often in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle.
"He lifted the loft hatch and climbed up to find the old suitcase."
"The cat slipped through the little hatch in the kitchen door."
"The submarine crew climbed out through the top hatch."
verb
1
For a young animal to break out of its egg, or for an egg to produce a young animal.
"Several ducklings hatched overnight, and by morning they were already paddling about."
"If the eggs stay warm enough, they should hatch within a few weeks."
"The chicks hatched after twenty-one days."
2
To plan or devise something, especially a scheme.
"She spent the whole evening hatching a plan to get out of the meeting."
"Who hatched this crazy idea of painting the shed bright pink?"
"The two of them hatched a plot to surprise her on her birthday."
How to use hatch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a small door/opening, or the act of an egg producing a baby animal — also used figuratively for cooking up a plan.
Common pairings
hatch a plan
hatch a plot
emergency hatch
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Word forms
- Plural
- hatches
- Third person singular
- hatches
- Past tense
- hatched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He lifted the loft _____ and climbed up to find the old suitcase.
Etymology
From Old English hæċ, an old Germanic word for a gate or half-door — related to modern "hedge" and the German word Heck.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hatch
See all rhymes for hatch →Frequently asked questions
What does “hatch” mean?
The word “hatch” means a small door or opening, often in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle. In plain terms, either a small door/opening, or the act of an egg producing a baby animal — also used figuratively for cooking up a plan.
How do you pronounce “hatch”?
“Hatch” is pronounced hach (/hæt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hatch” in a sentence?
Here is “hatch” used in a sentence: “The submarine crew climbed out through the top hatch.”
What part of speech is “hatch”?
Depending on how it is used, “hatch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hatch” come from?
The word “hatch” comes from Old English. From Old English hæċ, an old Germanic word for a gate or half-door — related to modern "hedge" and the German word Heck.
Is “hatch” a common word?
“Hatch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “hatch” have?
“Hatch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small door or opening, often in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle.
What is the difference between hatch (noun) and hatch (verb)?
As a noun, a hatch is a small door or opening, often found in a floor, ceiling, wall, or vehicle. As a verb, to hatch means for a young animal to break out of its egg, or, figuratively, to plan or devise a scheme.
What does it mean to "hatch a plan"?
To "hatch a plan" uses the verb hatch figuratively, meaning to devise or work out a scheme, often one that is somewhat secretive or elaborate. The image draws on the idea of a plan developing and emerging, much like a chick hatching from an egg.
What is a hatch on a boat or vehicle?
On a boat or vehicle, a hatch is a small door or opening, often set into the floor, deck, or roof, used for access or storage. It's the same core meaning as a hatch in a building, just applied to a vehicle's structure.
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