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Definition of shanty

shanty

/ˈʃæn.ti/
shan · ty
Plural:shanties
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shanty Lexical Profile

shanty Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, crudely built shack or hut, typically made of wood, corrugated iron, or cardboard.

Example

"The impoverished family lived in a rundown shanty on the outskirts of the sprawling city."

2

A rhythmic work song historically sung by merchant sailing crews to coordinate pulling and heaving tasks.

Example

"The sailors heaved the heavy anchor while bellowing a traditional sea shanty."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for shanty
Antonyms
View all antonyms for shanty

Word Nuance & Usage

When referring to a sailor's work song, the word is also commonly spelled 'chantey' or 'chanty'.

• Rhymes for shanty

• Nearby Words

shannon
shannon falls
shantou
shanty
shantytown
shape
shapeable

Word Origin & Etymology

The word has two distinct origins: as a crude hut, it likely derives from Canadian French 'chantier' (a lumberjack's cabin or timber yard); as a sailor's song, it is believed to come from the French 'chanter' (to sing).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shanty. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shanty
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