shelter
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a building or place that protects you from bad weather or danger.
n.a physical structure or location designed to provide protection from environmental hazards or external threats.
Simple“The hikers found a small stone shelter to stay dry during the storm.”
In context“The local council converted the old basement into an emergency shelter for residents displaced by the flooding.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the state of being protected from rain, wind, or danger.
n.the abstract state or condition of being shielded from the elements or from harm.
Simple“They stood under the trees for shelter until the rain stopped.”
In context“The overhanging cliffs provided natural shelter for the early settlers, protecting them from the harsh coastal winds.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a place where people or animals with no home can live and be safe.
n.an establishment providing temporary residence for homeless individuals or stray animals.
Simple“She volunteers at the local animal shelter every Saturday morning.”
In context“The city opened three additional night shelters to ensure that no one was forced to sleep on the streets during the cold snap.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to protect someone or something from bad weather, danger, or criticism.
v.to provide cover or protection from physical harm, environmental conditions, or negative consequences.
Simple“The parents tried to shelter their children from the news of the accident.”
In context“The thick stone walls effectively sheltered the interior courtyard from the scorching heat of the desert sun.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'from'.
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to go to a safe place to avoid bad weather or danger.
v.to seek or take cover in a protected area.
Simple“We had to shelter in a doorway when the downpour suddenly started.”
In context“The soldiers were ordered to shelter in the trenches until the artillery fire ceased.”
UsageOften used as an intransitive verb followed by 'in' or 'under'.
Synonyms
“Hawaii County's Civil Defense Agency said public shelters were available in every county on Big Island.”
“I was living in New York, one of millions ordered to shelter in place.”
From Middle English sheltron, sheldtrume (“roof or wall formed by locked shields”), from Old English sċildtruma, sċyldtruma (“a phalanx, company (of troops), a tortoise, a covering, shed, shelter”, literally “shield-troop”), from sċyld, sċield (“shield”) + truma (“a troop of soldiers”). Cognate with Scots schilthrum, schiltrum. More at shield, and Old English trymman (“to strengthen”), from trum (“strong, firm”) at trim. Doublet of sheltron (a kind of military formation), which is the more conservative of the two.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.