Definition of SHANTY

shanty

Meanings

Plural: shanties

Noun

  • small crude shelter used as a dwelling
  • a rhythmical work song originally sung by sailors
  • A roughly-built hut or cabin.
  • A rudimentary or improvised dwelling, especially one not legally owned.
  • An unlicensed pub.
  • A song sailors sing, especially in rhythm to work, to help coordinate hauling (pulling) at the same time, or to set the pace for continuous activities.

Adj

  • Living in shanties; poor, ill-mannered and violent.
  • Jaunty; showy.

Verb

  • To inhabit a shanty.

Origin / Etymology

From Canadian French chantier (“lumberjack's headquarters”). An alternative theory that the word derives from Irish seantí (meaning "old house") is not considered likely by lexicologists.
* (unlicensed pub): New Zealand from 1848.

Synonyms

chantey, chanty, hovel, hut, hutch, sea chantey, sea shanty, shack, speakeasy

Scrabble Score: 12

shanty is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
shanty is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
shanty is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

shanty is a valid Words With Friends word