noun
Uncommon
shack
shak
Shack (noun) means a small, roughly built hut or cabin. Example: “They spent the summer in a fishing shack by the lake.”
noun
1
A small, roughly built hut or cabin.
"They spent the summer in a fishing shack by the lake."
"The old shack had no electricity or running water."
verb
1
To live somewhere casually, especially with a romantic partner (usually "shack up").
"They decided to shack up together after only three months of dating."
How to use shack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rough, small building — or, informally, to move in and live with someone.
When to use it
"Shack up" is informal/casual, commonly used about unmarried couples living together.
Common pairings
shack up with
rundown shack
beach shack
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Word forms
- Plural
- shacks
- Third person singular
- shacks
- Past tense
- shacked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They spent the summer in a fishing _____ by the lake.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; possibly from Mexican Spanish jacal, itself from a Nahuatl word for an adobe hut.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shack
See all rhymes for shack →Frequently asked questions
What does “shack” mean?
The word “shack” means a small, roughly built hut or cabin. In plain terms, a rough, small building — or, informally, to move in and live with someone.
How do you pronounce “shack”?
“Shack” is pronounced shak (/ʃæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “shack” in a sentence?
Here is “shack” used in a sentence: “They spent the summer in a fishing shack by the lake.”
What part of speech is “shack”?
Depending on how it is used, “shack” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shack” come from?
The word “shack” comes from Spanish. Origin uncertain; possibly from Mexican Spanish jacal, itself from a Nahuatl word for an adobe hut.
Is “shack” a common word?
“Shack” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shack” have?
“Shack” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, roughly built hut or cabin.
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