# shack

/ˈʃæk/ (US) · /ʃˈæk/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a simple hut

noun · CEFR B2

a small, simple building that is often made of wood or metal and is not very strong.

For teachers: a crudely built or dilapidated cabin or hut, typically constructed from salvaged materials.

- The fisherman kept his nets in a small wooden shack by the beach.
- The hillside was dotted with makeshift shacks, constructed from corrugated iron and timber by the migrant workers.

### 2. radio room

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

a small room or building used for operating radio equipment.

For teachers: a dedicated room or enclosure used for housing and operating amateur radio equipment.

- He spent every Saturday evening in his radio shack talking to people across the ocean.
- The enthusiast's shack was filled with vintage transceivers and meticulously organised technical manuals.

### 3. to live together

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to live in a place, especially with someone you are having a relationship with.

For teachers: to reside or cohabit, frequently used in the phrasal form 'shack up'.

- They decided to shack up in a small apartment downtown to save money.
- After only a few months of dating, they chose to shack up together, much to the surprise of their more conservative relatives.

Usage: Usually followed by the particle 'up'.

## Examples

- He lives in a small wooden shack by the beach.
- The fishermen built a temporary shack on the shore to store their nets and equipment during the winter.
- Tucked away behind the main estate, the dilapidated shack served as a quiet retreat for the gardener, despite its leaking roof and uneven floorboards.

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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.