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hardshell

hardshell

3.7
Having a hard outer surface that protects what is inside
  • adjective
  • /ˈhɑrdˌʃɛl/
translation icon : rigido
  • He wore a hardshell jacket to stay dry during the heavy rain.

Examples

  • The hardshell suitcase protected my belongings during the trip.

  • I bought a hardshell case for my guitar.

  • She packed her clothes in a hardshell suitcase for the trip.

  • The turtle's hardshell protects it from predators in the wild.

  • The turtle's hardshell protects it from predators in the wild.

  • He wore a hardshell jacket to stay dry during the heavy rain.

  • She packed her clothes in a hardshell suitcase for the trip.

Synonyms

hard
vshardshell
764 1.0

Firm and not easy to bend, break, or pierce

is specifically an outer protective layer rather than general firmness
hard-shelled
vshardshell
1 3.6

Having a hard outer covering that protects what is inside, like a crab or nut

is the general term for any tough protective outer covering
shelled
vshardshell
1 1.9

Having a hard outer covering like a crab or nut

is focused on a rigid protective layer that gives strong protection
plated
vshardshell
  • Specialized
1 4.1

Covered with metal plates for strength and protection

is any tough outer covering not limited to metal layers
tough-skinned
vshardshell
4.3

Has a hard outer skin that does not break easily

is more rigid and denotes a stiff protective outer layer
case-hardened
vshardshell
  • Specialized
7.3

With a hard outer surface and a softer inner core to make it stronger

is a uniformly tough protective covering without a softer inner core

Antonyms

4.1

With a soft, flexible outer layer that blocks wind and light rain

Compounds

A tough outer layer that protects things like suitcases or turtles from damage

A suitcase with a hard outer shell that protects items inside during travel

How Rigid

armored
  • US
276 4.4
hardshell
3.7
rigid
35 4.0
semirigid
7.2
flexible
31 3.4

Surface Forms

hardshell positive

Morphology

hardshell = hard + shell (transparent) = hard + shell

The compound straightforwardly combines 'hard' + 'shell' to denote a tough outer covering, which learners can derive from the components.

Etymology

The word hardshell combines hard 'firm' and shell 'outside cover', like a turtle's shell, to give a strong image of something with a tough outer layer. So when we call a suitcase or jacket hardshell, we mean it has a firm cover that protects what is inside.