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iglu

iglu

9.8
A round hut made of snow blocks for shelter in the Arctic
  • noun
  • /ˈɪɡlu/
  • Canadian
translation icon : iglú
  • The children gathered inside the iglu to enjoy the warmth of the fire during the cold Arctic night.

Examples

  • Inuit families traditionally constructed an iglu for warmth and protection during the winter.

  • The explorer spent a night in an iglu to shelter from the storm.

  • Tourists were fascinated by the structure of the iglu built entirely from snow blocks.

  • The iglu was warm inside despite the freezing temperatures outside.

  • Look at that beautiful iglu!

  • In the winter months, many families build an iglu to provide shelter from the harsh weather.

  • Traditionally, an iglu is made from compacted snow blocks, allowing it to retain heat efficiently.

Synonyms

hut
vsiglu
217 1.0

A small simple building where people live or stay

is the specific dome-shaped Arctic home built from snow or sod by Indigenous people
igloo
vsiglu
17 3.6

A round house made from blocks of snow used in cold places

also uses sod as well as snow and highlights Indigenous origins
snow house
vsiglu
  • UK
3.4

A small shelter made from blocks of snow to protect people from cold

is a traditional Indigenous dwelling used as a practical home rather than for play

How Protective

house
1.0
cabin
351 1.0
iglu
  • Canadian
9.8
tent
514 1.0
lean-to
6 6.7

Surface Forms

iglu singular
iglus plural

Etymology

The word iglu comes from an Inuit word iglu meaning 'house' or 'shelter'. These 'houses' were often built from blocks of snow, so today iglu refers to a dome-shaped snow hut used for warmth and protection.