What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bunkie
Example
We stayed in a bunkie by the lake during our camping trip. [bunkie: noun]
Example
The bunkie was equipped with a small kitchenette and a comfortable bed. [bunkie: adjective]
shanty
Example
The homeless man built a shanty out of cardboard boxes and old tarps. [shanty: noun]
Example
They lived in a shanty near the construction site until their house was ready. [shanty: prepositional phrase]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
The term shanty is more commonly used and recognized globally, while bunkie is primarily used in North America, particularly in Canada.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bunkie and shanty?
Both bunkie and shanty are informal terms, but bunkie may be seen as slightly more casual and associated with recreational activities, while shanty carries connotations of poverty or difficult living conditions.