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Definition of hovel

hovel

/ˈhʌv.əl/
hov · el
Plural:hovels
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hovel Lexical Profile

hovel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, poorly constructed, and often dirty or squalid dwelling.

Example

"The impoverished family was forced to live in a cramped hovel on the outskirts of the city."

2

British An open shed or outbuilding used for sheltering cattle or storing agricultural tools.

Example

"The farmer stored his rusted plows and winter feed in a wooden hovel near the pasture."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for hovel

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'hut' or 'cabin' can denote a simple, rustic, or even cozy dwelling, 'hovel' carries a strongly negative connotation, explicitly emphasizing squalor, extreme poverty, or dilapidated conditions.

• Rhymes for hovel

• Nearby Words

houttuynia
hovd
hovea
hovel
hovenia
hovercraft
hoverfly

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'hovel' or 'howel', of uncertain origin. It is likely a diminutive form related to Old English 'hof', meaning 'enclosure, house, or dwelling'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hovel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hovel
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