hatch
B2Neutral to formal, depending on sense.
Definition
Meaning
To break out of an egg; to emerge from confinement. Also: to devise or plan something secretly.
The opening in a floor, deck, or ceiling; the act of hatching or a group of hatched young; the line used in drawing to create shading.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has a core biological meaning and a metaphorical planning meaning. The noun has distinct nautical, architectural, and artistic senses.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Noun sense of 'a door in a floor/roof' is common in both; verb usage patterns are identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; slightly more technical/nautical in noun usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJECT] hatches [OBJECT] (e.g., The hen hatched her eggs.)[SUBJECT] hatches (e.g., The chicks hatched.)[SUBJECT] hatches [OBJECT] (e.g., They hatched a plot.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “batten down the hatches”
- “hatch a plot/scheme”
- “down the hatch”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorically used for developing strategies ('hatch a new marketing campaign').
Academic
Used in biology and zoology contexts describing embryonic development.
Everyday
Most common for eggs (chickens, birds) and car boots/boot lids.
Technical
Nautical (ship hatches), aviation (escape hatches), engineering (access panels).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- He lifted the hatch to access the cables under the floor.
- The car's boot is a top-hinged hatch.
American English
- She climbed through the hatch onto the roof.
- The SUV has a rear hatch for loading gear.
verb
British English
- The eggs should hatch in about twenty-one days.
- The conspirators met to hatch their rebellion.
American English
- The robin's eggs hatched this morning.
- They hatched a plan to win the competition.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little yellow chicks hatch from eggs.
- Close the hatch, please.
- The scientists observed the turtle eggs hatch on the beach.
- We need to clean the attic, so open the access hatch.
- The spies hatched a complex scheme to obtain the documents.
- Batten down the hatches; a severe storm is approaching.
- The novel's plot hatches from a single, chance encounter in the first chapter.
- The escape hatch was welded shut as a safety precaution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A HATCH opens to let something out (chick from egg, person from submarine) or to let a secret plan OUT of your mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE LIVING ENTITIES (hatch a plan). REVEALING IS EMERGING (the truth hatched).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'hatchet' (топорик). Noun 'hatch' (люк) is not the same as 'hatch' as in 'hatchback' (хэтчбек - тип кузова). The planning sense is idiomatic (замышлять).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hatch' for the birth of mammals ('The cow hatched a calf' - INCORRECT). Confusing 'hatch' (verb) with 'match'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'hatch' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's used for any egg-laying animal (reptiles, fish, insects). It is also used metaphorically for ideas and plans.
'Incubate' means to keep eggs warm for development; 'hatch' is the specific act of the young breaking out of the egg.
Yes, it commonly refers to an opening with a cover, like on a floor, roof, or vehicle.
It's an idiom meaning to prepare for a difficult situation, originally referring to securing a ship's doors (hatches) before a storm.