haven
HAY-vuhn
Haven (noun) means a place of safety or shelter from danger or trouble. Example: “The little library was a haven for anyone who wanted peace and quiet.”
noun
1
A place of safety or shelter from danger or trouble.
"The little library was a haven for anyone who wanted peace and quiet."
"The shelter became a haven for stray animals."
"For her, the garden was a quiet haven from the noise of the city."
2
A harbour or sheltered stretch of water where ships can safely anchor.
"Small boats sat safely at anchor in the haven while the wind howled outside."
"Sailors had used the natural haven for centuries to shelter from rough seas."
"The fishing boats returned to the haven ahead of the storm."
How to use haven
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA safe, sheltered place — literally a harbour for ships, or more broadly any refuge from trouble.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "heaven," the afterlife — they sound alike but are unrelated in meaning and origin.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a safe haven
tax haven
haven from
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Word forms
- Plural
- havens
- Third person singular
- havens
- Past tense
- havened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The little library was a _____ for anyone who wanted peace and quiet.
Etymology
From Old English hæfen ("harbour, port"), related to German Hafen and Dutch haven, all pointing back to a Germanic word for the open sea.
Related words
Rhymes for haven
See all rhymes for haven →Frequently asked questions
What does “haven” mean?
The word “haven” means a place of safety or shelter from danger or trouble. In plain terms, a safe, sheltered place — literally a harbour for ships, or more broadly any refuge from trouble.
How do you pronounce “haven”?
“Haven” is pronounced HAY-vuhn (/ˈheɪvən/ in IPA).
How do you use “haven” in a sentence?
Here is “haven” used in a sentence: “The shelter became a haven for stray animals.”
What part of speech is “haven”?
“Haven” is a noun.
Where does the word “haven” come from?
The word “haven” comes from Old English. From Old English hæfen ("harbour, port"), related to German Hafen and Dutch haven, all pointing back to a Germanic word for the open sea.
Is “haven” a common word?
“Haven” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “haven” have?
“Haven” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a place of safety or shelter from danger or trouble.
What is the difference between "haven" and "heaven"?
Despite the similar spelling, they differ in meaning. A "haven" is a place of safety or shelter from danger, while "heaven" refers to the sky or a spiritual afterlife. The two are easily confused because they differ by only one letter.
What is the difference between "haven" and "refuge"?
Both mean a place of safety, but "refuge" emphasises escape from danger or pursuit, while "haven" emphasises the peace and shelter the place provides. A refuge is somewhere you flee to, whereas a haven is somewhere you feel safe.
What is the original meaning of "haven"?
Originally, "haven" meant a harbour or sheltered stretch of water where ships could safely anchor. From this literal sense of shelter from the sea grew the wider meaning of any place of safety.
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