# shelled

/ˈʃɛɫd/ (US) · /ʃˈɛld/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shelled
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

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

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.