hermit crab: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “hermit crab” mean?
A small crustacean that lives in an empty seashell for protection.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small crustacean that lives in an empty seashell for protection.
A metaphor for a person who lives a solitary, reclusive life or for someone who inhabits borrowed or makeshift shelters.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The animal is referred to by the same compound noun.
Connotations
Identical biological and metaphorical connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily used in marine biology contexts and general nature discussion.
Grammar
How to Use “hermit crab” in a Sentence
[verb] a hermit crab (find, see, keep)hermit crab [verb] (scuttles, inhabits, retreats)[adjective] hermit crab (common, giant, tropical)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in marine biology and zoology texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing beach finds, pets, or nature documentaries.
Technical
Used precisely for species of the superfamily Paguroidea.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hermit crab”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hermit crab”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hermit crab”
- Incorrect plural: 'hermits crabs' (correct: 'hermit crabs'). Confusing it with a true crab.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are decapod crustaceans but belong to a different infraorder (Anomura) than true crabs (Brachyura).
They are generally scavengers and omnivores, feeding on detritus, algae, and small pieces of food.
Some species are terrestrial (land hermit crabs) but require access to water to keep their gills moist. Marine species live underwater.
They change shells as they grow larger, needing more space, and they may also switch to a better-fitting or undamaged shell.
A small crustacean that lives in an empty seashell for protection.
Hermit crab is usually informal in register.
Hermit crab: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɜː.mɪt ˌkræb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɝː.mɪt ˌkræb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Live like a hermit crab”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A HERMIT lives alone, a CRAB has a shell. A hermit crab is a crab that lives alone in a borrowed shell.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHELTER IS A PORTABLE HOME / VULNERABILITY REQUIRES EXTERNAL PROTECTION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a hermit crab?