hard-shell

adjective

ˈhärd-ˌshel 

variants or hard-shelled

ˈhärd-ˌsheld 

: fundamental sense 2b, fundamentalist

a hard-shell preacher

hard-shell Baptists

also : uncompromising, hidebound

a hard-shell conservative

Examples of hard-shell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hilton was quickly mocked, with online commenters pointing out that authentic Mexican street tacos are served in soft tortillas, cooked up by street vendors, and that the hard-shell varieties found in a fast-food chain do not count as the real deal. — Linh Tat, Daily News, 15 July 2026

The glasses come with a hard-shell snap-shut case and a green USB-C cable. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 10 July 2026

There are thousands of Amazon Prime Day travel deals worth checking out today, with popular shoes, hard-shell luggage, and electronics up to 60% off. — Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026

The hard-shell design helps protect belongings while remaining comfortable to carry and maneuver. — New Atlas, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above