What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dugout
Example
The soldiers took cover in the dugout during the bombing. [dugout: noun]
Example
We found an old dugout in the woods and decided to explore it. [dugout: noun]
Example
The indigenous people used dugouts to navigate the river. [dugout: noun]
shelter
Example
We took shelter under the tree during the rainstorm. [shelter: noun]
Example
The Red Cross set up shelters for the victims of the hurricane. [shelters: noun]
Example
The farmer built a shelter for his cows to protect them from the cold. [shelter: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shelter is a more commonly used word than dugout in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can be used in various settings. Dugout is a more specific term that is mainly used in the context of war or underground living spaces.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dugout and shelter?
Both dugout and shelter are relatively informal words, but shelter can be used in more formal contexts such as discussing emergency housing or animal protection.
