hovel

/ˈhɒvl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhʌvl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhə-vəl ˈhä-/ (ame, mw)

hovel — noun

  • hovelsingular
  • hovelsplural

1. a small house or room in very poor condition, typically dirty and uncomfortable

1.名詞B2
釋義

a small house or room in very poor condition, typically dirty and uncomfortable for living in

例句

The old gardener lived in a small damp hovel at the edge of the estate.

noun phrase: damp hovel / cramped hovel

After the earthquake, many families slept in muddy hovels with no electricity or running water.

plural: hovels + condition (muddy, no utilities)

同義詞
  • shack

    a small roughly built hut or cabin; less negative and can be neutral or even affectionate

  • shanty

    a very small crude shelter built from scrap materials; emphasises extreme poverty

反義詞
  • mansion

    a very large, impressive, and expensive house

  • palace

    a very large and grand home, especially a royal residence

文法句型

a + hovel

modifier + hovel

用法筆記

Carries strong disapproval. Calling a home a 'hovel' is a way of criticising its condition harshly. This word is not neutral — it always implies dirt, neglect, or poverty.

常見錯誤

❌The dog sleeps in a hovel in the garden.
✅The dog sleeps in a kennel in the garden.
💡'Hovel' is used for places where people live, not for animal shelters.
❌I live in a small but clean hovel.
✅I live in a small but clean cottage.
💡'Hovel' always implies dirt or poor condition; using it with 'clean' creates a contradiction.