Advertisement

View synonyms for shovel

shovel

[ shuhv-uhl ]

noun

  1. an implement consisting of a broad blade or scoop attached to a long handle, used for taking up, removing, or throwing loose matter, as earth, snow, or coal.
  2. any fairly large contrivance or machine with a broad blade or scoop for taking up or removing loose matter:

    a steam shovel.

  3. Informal. shovel hat.


verb (used with object)

, shov·eled, shov·el·ing or (especially British) shov·elled, shov·el·ling.
  1. to take up and cast or remove with a shovel:

    to shovel coal.

  2. to gather up in large quantity roughly or carelessly with or as if with a shovel:

    He shoveled food into his mouth.

  3. to dig or clear with or as if with a shovel:

    to shovel a path through the snow.

verb (used without object)

, shov·eled, shov·el·ing or (especially British) shov·elled, shov·el·ling.
  1. to work with a shovel.

shovel

/ ˈʃʌvəl /

noun

  1. an instrument for lifting or scooping loose material, such as earth, coal, etc, consisting of a curved blade or a scoop attached to a handle
  2. any machine or part resembling a shovel in action
  3. Also calledshovelful the amount that can be contained in a shovel
  4. short for shovel hat
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. to lift (earth, etc) with a shovel
  2. tr to clear or dig (a path) with or as if with a shovel
  3. tr to gather, load, or unload in a hurried or careless way

    he shovelled the food into his mouth and rushed away

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈshoveller, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • un·shoveled adjective
  • un·shovelled adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of shovel1

before 900; Middle English schovel, Old English scofl; cognate with Dutch schoffel hoe; akin to German Schaufel shovel
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of shovel1

Old English scofl; related to Old High German scūfla shovel, Dutch schoffel hoe; see shove
Discover More

Example Sentences

Also known as a beacon, a transceiver is just one part of a complete avalanche safety kit, which should also include, at the minimum, a probe and shovel.

An electric shovel can speed up the job, or you can just work with well designed manual shovels.

Because of these common injuries, manufacturers have conducted research and designed ergonomic snow shovels with your comfort in mind.

Features to consider when shopping for snow shovelsBefore deciding on which snow shovel to buy this winter, consider the design, quality of materials, as well as the types of jobs your shovel is built to handle.

If you don’t typically get a lot of snow, you may be able to handle the job with a simple combination shovel or ergonomic shovel.

But how is it they never lose that hunger to turn over the next shovel of dirt?

Moran also pointed out straight edges where a shovel had sliced into the earth.

Trust us, the Obama administration said, about spying on Americans and restarting the economy through “shovel-ready” programs.

He grabbed a shovel and started identifying mysterious birdcalls, naming previously unknown plants and trees.

Leaning on the shovel in the pen outside the chicken coop, I was wondering.

A sudden distaste for the monotonous toil with the shovel came upon him, and he felt the call of the wilderness.

Coffee Jack, shovel in hand, kept the larger stones moving when they threatened to choke up the boxes.

Pit your shovel in here an' lift this pickle, an' no' stand there gapin' like a grisly ghost at the door o' hell!

Without more ado they secured a broken shovel and two case-knives and began operations.

Far down below the stokers began to shovel coal like mad into the furnaces.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


shove-ha'pennyshovel beak