# hamlet

/ˈhæmɫət/ (US) · /hˈæmlət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hamlet
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. small settlement

noun · CEFR B2

a very small village or a group of houses in the countryside.

For teachers: a small rural settlement, traditionally defined in British English as a village without its own church.

- They lived in a tiny hamlet with only ten houses and no shops.
- The hikers passed through several remote hamlets, each consisting of little more than a few stone cottages and a communal well.

### 2. Shakespeare play

noun · CEFR B2

a famous play by William Shakespeare about a prince of Denmark.

For teachers: a tragedy by William Shakespeare, widely considered one of the most influential works in English literature.

- We are studying Hamlet in our English literature class this semester.
- The actor's portrayal of Hamlet was praised for its psychological depth and modern interpretation of the prince's indecision.

### 3. Shakespeare character

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the main character in Shakespeare's play who wants to avenge his father.

For teachers: the eponymous protagonist of Shakespeare's tragedy, the Prince of Denmark.

- Hamlet is famous for his long speeches where he talks to himself.
- Scholars have long debated whether Hamlet's madness was genuine or a calculated performance to deceive his uncle.

### 4. administrative area

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small community that does not have its own local government.

For teachers: an unincorporated community or administrative division, specifically used in certain Canadian and American jurisdictions.

- The hamlet is too small to have its own mayor or police force.
- Under provincial law, the hamlet remained an unincorporated territory managed by the larger municipal district.

## Examples

- They live in a tiny hamlet in the mountains.
- The hiking trail passes through several quiet hamlets where residents still farm the surrounding land.
- While the nearby town grew into a bustling commercial hub, the isolated hamlet remained unchanged for centuries, preserved by its lack of modern infrastructure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.