English Reference

Word

shelled

US/ˈʃɛɫd/

UK/ʃˈɛld/

Definition

adj. having a hard outer covering, like a nut or a crab. It can also describe something that has had its outer covering removed.

adj. possessing a hard outer layer or protective casing; alternatively, having had such a casing removed.

Examples

“I prefer buying shelled peanuts because they are easier to eat.”

“The recipe requires two cups of shelled peas, which takes quite a long time to prepare by hand.”

“Biologists studied the remains of shelled organisms found in the sediment to determine the historical acidity levels of the ocean.”

Examples

simple

“I prefer buying shelled peanuts because they are easier to eat.”

contextual

“The recipe requires two cups of shelled peas, which takes quite a long time to prepare by hand.”

complex

“Biologists studied the remains of shelled organisms found in the sediment to determine the historical acidity levels of the ocean.”

Usage

Participial adjective. When referring to food like nuts or peas, it usually means the shell has been removed; when referring to animals, it means they possess a shell.

Real-World Examples

“On the second night, she shelled out $3,400 on a resale ticket site for two seats in the front row.”
The Guardian · 21 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/shelled

English Reference