hovel

[huhv-uhl, hov-]

noun

1. a small, very humble dwelling house; a wretched hut.

2. any dirty, disorganized dwelling.

3. an open shed, as for sheltering cattle or tools.

verb (used with object)

hoveled, hoveling , hovelled, hovelling .

1. to shelter or lodge as in a hovel.

hovel

/ ˈhʌvəl, ˈhɒv- /

noun

1. a ramshackle dwelling place

2. an open shed for livestock, carts, etc

3. the conical building enclosing a kiln

verb

1. to shelter or be sheltered in a hovel

Word History and Origins

Origin of hovel¹

1375–1425; late Middle English hovell, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of hovel¹

C15: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Mark me: In the bombed-out hovels of West Berlin, there was a first drag show to hail the city’s resurrection.

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Even the day scenes feel tinged by darkness — especially when Shula visits her dead uncle’s home to find a neglected hovel of forgotten children likely to be abandoned by her judgmental aunties.

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As for what was built at Cinecitta, two favorite sets for Gropman were Tom’s New York hovel and his well-appointed, furnished Rome apartment.

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“It’s designed like a dark little hovel. Who would want to live like that?”

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Eventually they squeezed into a hovel before being discovered by a turncoat cabinet member.

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Related Words

• cottage 
• hut 
• lean-to 
• shack 
• shanty