SHELL: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for SHELL?

Need another word that means the same as “shell”? Find 41 synonyms and 30 related words for “shell” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Shell” are: carapace, cuticle, shield, eggshell, case, casing, plate, scale, racing shell, outside, exterior, pod, husk, hull, projectile, bomb, bullet, cartridge, shot, framework, frame, chassis, skeleton, basic structure, beat, beat out, crush, trounce, vanquish, blast, bombard, fire on, open fire on, shoot at, attack, pound, blitz, strafe, extract

Shell as a Noun

Definitions of "Shell" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “shell” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• The wing cases of a beetle.
• The integument of an insect pupa or chrysalis.
• A cartridge.
• An explosive artillery projectile or bomb.
• Each of a set of orbitals around the nucleus of an atom, occupied or able to be occupied by electrons of similar energies.
• The thin outer covering of an animal's egg, which is hard and fragile in that of a bird but leathery in that of a reptile.
• The metal framework of a vehicle body.
• An outer form without substance.
• Hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles.
• The hard largely calcareous covering of a mollusc or a brachiopod.
• Used with reference to a state of shyness or introversion.
• The walls of an unfinished or gutted building or other structure.
• A rigid covering that envelops an object.
• The hard usually fibrous outer layer of some fruits especially nuts.
• The hard protective outer case of a mollusc or crustacean.
• A very light narrow racing boat.
• The exterior covering of a bird's egg.
• The housing or outer covering of something.
• Ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun.
• A hollow metal or paper case used as a container for fireworks, explosives, or cartridges.
• The material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals.
• An inner or roughly made coffin.
• The hand guard of a sword.
• A light racing boat.
• The outer case of a nut kernel or seed.
• The carapace of a tortoise, turtle, or terrapin.
• A metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners.
• Something resembling or likened to a shell because of its shape or its function as an outer case.

Synonyms of "Shell" as a noun (24 Words)

basic structure	A popular programming language that is relatively easy to learn; an acronym for beginner’s all-purpose symbolic instruction code; no longer in general use.
bomb	A lump of lava thrown out by an erupting volcano. A two run bomb.
bullet	A metal projectile for firing from a rifle, revolver, or other small firearm, typically cylindrical and pointed, and sometimes containing an explosive. All afternoon he threw bullets at the other team s batters.
carapace	Hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles. I don t blame him for building a carapace around his true self.
cartridge	Ammunition consisting of a cylindrical casing containing an explosive charge and a bullet; fired from a rifle or handgun. He loaded a cartridge of fresh tape into the tape deck.
case	A set of facts or arguments supporting one side in a legal case. A murder case.
casing	The frame round a door or window. A waterproof casing.
chassis	Alternative names for the body of a human being.
cuticle	Hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles. The body is covered with a non living cuticle of chitin.
eggshell	(of china) of extreme thinness and delicacy. Pieces of eggshell are being examined to study possible contamination.
exterior	(in filming) an outdoor scene. A jar with floral designs on the exterior.
frame	A framework that supports and protects a picture or a mirror. Jones won the first four frames.
framework	A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text. Providing a factual framework for future research.
hull	Persistent enlarged calyx at base of e.g. a strawberry or raspberry.
husk	The dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds. Oats contain more husk than barley.
outside	The region that is outside of something. Record the date on the outside of the file.
plate	A main course of a meal served on one plate. He recommended the roast beef plate.
pod	A narrow-necked purse net for catching eels. Chalk rich pods of glaciofluvial sands and gravels.
projectile	A weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled. The guns were deployed to flail the village with their one ton projectiles.
racing shell	The sport of engaging in contests of speed.
scale	A coating of oxide formed on heated metal. The scale of the model.
shield	A stylized representation of a shield used for displaying a coat of arms. A face shield is sometimes an integral part of a safety helmet.
shot	Tiny lead pellets used in quantity in a single charge or cartridge in a shotgun. Steamed milk with a shot of espresso.
skeleton	A sport in which a competitor races down a frozen track on a skeleton sled. The skeleton s runners make a terrifying rumbling sound as they slide down the ice.

Usage Examples of "Shell" as a noun

• She'll soon come out of her shell with the right encouragement.
• In a multi-electron atom, the lowest energy shells fill up first.
• Baked pastry shells filled with cheese.
• The technique of carving shell.
• Pasta shells.
• Peanuts roasted in their shells.
• Cowrie shells.
• An electron descending from one shell to a lower one emits an X-ray.
• He was a shell of the man he had been previously.
• The sound of the shell passing over, followed by the explosion.
• The hotel was a shell, the roof having collapsed completely.
• The satellite is covered with a smooth shell of ice.
• Shell holes.

Shell as a Verb

Definitions of "Shell" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “shell” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Create by using explosives.
• Remove from its shell or outer covering.
• Use explosives on.
• Look for and collect shells by the seashore.
• Remove the husks from.
• Hit the pitches of hard and regularly.
• Fall out of the pod or husk.
• Come out better in a competition, race, or conflict.
• Bombard with shells.
• Score heavily against (an opposing pitcher or team.
• Remove the shell or pod from (a nut or seed.

Synonyms of "Shell" as a verb (17 Words)

attack	Attack in speech or writing. The white queen attacks the black rook.
beat	Beat through cleverness and wit. Beat one s foot rhythmically.
beat out	Be a mystery or bewildering to.
blast	(of a wind or other natural force) wither, shrivel, or blight (a plant. The car was blasted thirty feet into the sky.
blitz	Charge the opposing team s quarterback in a blitz. Hitler blitzed Poland.
bomb	Attack a place or object with a bomb or bombs. We were bombing down the motorway at breakneck speed.
bombard	Attack (a place or person) continuously with bombs, shells, or other missiles. The governor was bombarded with requests to grant a pardon to the convicted killer.
crush	Crush or bruise. You can crush a pill between two spoons.
extract	Extract by the process of distillation. Early computers had an instruction to extract a square root.
fire on	Drive out or away by or as if by fire.
husk	Remove the husks from. They set up mills to husk the rice.
open fire on	Cause to open or to become open.
pound	Place or shut up in a pound. Pound on the door.
shoot at	Variegate by interweaving weft threads of different colors.
strafe	Attack repeatedly with bombs or machine-gun fire from low-flying aircraft. Civilians were strafed in an effort to force the country s surrender.
trounce	Rebuke or punish severely. The children were severely trounced.
vanquish	Defeat thoroughly. He successfully vanquished his rival.

Usage Examples of "Shell" as a verb

• Several villages north of the security zone were shelled.
• They were shelling peas.
• The corn shelled.
• The enemy has been shelling us all day.
• Williams got shelled in the next inning.
• He shelled the pitcher for eight runs in the first inning.
• Shell mussels.
• Shell the legumes.

Associations of "Shell" (30 Words)

bivalve	An aquatic mollusc which has a compressed body enclosed within a hinged shell, such as oysters, mussels, and scallops.
carapace	The hard upper shell of a tortoise, crustacean, or arachnid. I don t blame him for building a carapace around his true self.
casing	The enclosing frame around a door or window opening. The casings had rotted away and had to be replaced.
chaff	The husks of corn or other seed separated by winnowing or threshing. He hopes to separate scientifically supported claims from pseudoscientific chaff.
clam	Dig for or collect clams. The beaches are ideal for beachcombing clamming and observing wildlife.
conch	A conch shell blown like a trumpet to produce a hollow sounding musical note often depicted as played by Tritons.
crab	The edible flesh of any of various crabs. The time his friend had crabs.
crustacean	Relating to or denoting crustaceans.
crustaceous	Being or having or resembling a hard crust or shell. Crustaceous species.
cuticle	A protective and waxy or hard layer covering the epidermis of a plant, invertebrate, or shell. You ve been gnawing at your cuticles.
decapod	Relating to or denoting decapods.
hull	Hit and pierce the hull of a ship with a missile. Hull the berries.
husk	Remove the husks from. They set up mills to husk the rice.
lobster	Catch lobsters. Lobster bisque.
marine	(of artists or painting) depicting scenes at sea. Marine plants.
mollusc	Invertebrate having a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a shell.
mollusk	Invertebrate having a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a shell.
nacre	The iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell.
outermost	Situated at the farthest possible point from a center. The outermost layer of the earth.
oyster	Raise dredge or gather oysters. As a kid he crabbed and oystered for fun.
scallop	Each of a series of convex rounded projections forming an ornamental edging cut in material or worked in lace or knitting in imitation of the edge of a scallop shell. The season for scalloping is almost over.
seafood	Shellfish and sea fish, served as food. A seafood restaurant.
shale	A sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay.
shellfish	Shellfish as food. This species is harmful to marine shellfish.
shrimp	Fish for shrimps. Some families still go shrimping off the coast at Lytham.
shuck	Remove the shucks from maize or shellfish. Shuck and drain the oysters.
stabilize	Become stable or more stable. An emergency program designed to stabilize the economy.
tortoise	Usually herbivorous land turtles having clawed elephant-like limbs; worldwide in arid area except Australia and Antarctica.
turtle	A freshwater reptile related to the sea turtles and tortoises.
wampum	Small cylindrical beads traditionally made by some North American Indian peoples from shells, strung together and worn as decoration or used as money. Strings of wampum.