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noun

igloo

IHG-loo
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Igloo (noun) means a dome-shaped shelter built from blocks of packed snow, traditionally used by Inuit people. Example: “They built an igloo on the frozen lake to shelter from the wind.”

noun
1
A dome-shaped shelter built from blocks of packed snow, traditionally used by Inuit people.
"They built an igloo on the frozen lake to shelter from the wind."

How to use igloo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA snow shelter shaped like a dome, traditionally built by Inuit people in the Arctic.

Common mistake

In Inuktitut the word just means "house" generally — English speakers narrowed it to mean only the snow-dome version.

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Word forms

Plural
igloos
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They built an _____ on the frozen lake to shelter from the wind.

Etymology

From Inuktitut iglu, meaning "house" or "dwelling" of any kind — English narrowed the word to mean specifically the snow-block shelter.

iglu

Rhymes for igloo

See all rhymes for igloo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “igloo” mean?
The word “igloo” means a dome-shaped shelter built from blocks of packed snow, traditionally used by Inuit people. In plain terms, a snow shelter shaped like a dome, traditionally built by Inuit people in the Arctic.
How do you pronounce “igloo”?
“Igloo” is pronounced IHG-loo (/ˈɪɡ.luː/ in IPA).
How do you use “igloo” in a sentence?
Here is “igloo” used in a sentence: “They built an igloo on the frozen lake to shelter from the wind.”
What part of speech is “igloo”?
“Igloo” is a noun.