hovel

American  

[huhv-uhl, hov-] / ˈhʌv əl, ˈhɒv- /

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.

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verb (used with object)

hoveled, hoveling, hovelled, hovelling

1. to shelter or lodge as in a hovel.

hovel British  

/ ˈhʌvəl, ˈhɒv- /

noun

1. a ramshackle dwelling place

2. an open shed for livestock, carts, etc

3. the conical building enclosing a kiln

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verb

1. to shelter or be sheltered in a hovel

Etymology

Origin of hovel

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

Example Sentences

But all the characters racing up and down the stairs of his uber-New York walk-up hovel are a howl.

From Los Angeles Times

“What are you doing there? You have your own hovel now. I thought it was supposed to be your so-called bachelor pad.”

From Literature

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

From Salon

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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