What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shanty
Example
The homeless man built a shanty out of cardboard boxes. [shanty: noun]
Example
They lived in a shanty town on the outskirts of the city. [shanty: adjective]
hut
Example
The hikers built a hut in the woods to protect themselves from the rain. [hut: noun]
Example
The shepherd lived in a small hut on the hillside. [hut: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hut is more commonly used than shanty in everyday language. Hut is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shanty is less common and often associated with negative connotations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shanty and hut?
Both shanty and hut are informal words, but hut can be used in more formal contexts than shanty due to its more positive connotation and versatility.