chantey

1 of 3

noun (1)

chan·​tey ˈshan-tē  ˈchan- 

variants or chanty or shanty

ˈshan- 

plural chanteys or chanties or shanties

: a song sung by sailors in rhythm with their work

shanty

2 of 3

noun (2)

shan·​ty ˈshan- 

variant spelling of chantey

: a song sung by sailors in rhythm with their work

shanty

3 of 3

noun (3)

shan·​ty ˈshan-tē 

plural shanties

: a small crudely built dwelling or shelter usually of wood

Synonyms of chantey

Noun (3)

• hut
• camp
• shack
• cabin

Examples of chantey in a Sentence

Noun (3)

lived just off the beach in a crude shanty

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Like a mechanical wooden doll dancing to the sea shanty. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025

The temporary home of South Korea’s first president has been preserved along with exhibits of historical photos of wartime life, a recreation of a refugee’s shanty, and an outdoor school. —Peggy Orenstein, AFAR Media, 6 Jan. 2025

Noun

Six shanties on stilts were damaged in a coastal village in Zamboanga del Sur province due to the quake and taller waves, officials said. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

For gardens with an olde California vibe, wander the grounds at Filoli, the grand estate in Woodside, then maybe drive over Highway 92 to Half Moon Bay for the quaintest, sea-shanty-ist spot on the coast. —David Hochman, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

modification of French chanter

Noun (3)

probably from Canadian French chantier lumber camp, hut, from French, builder's yard, ways, support for barrels, from Old French chantier, gantier support — more at gantry

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1856, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1820, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chantey

• ante
• anti
• auntie
• canty
• grantee
• panty
• scanty
• shanty
• chianti
• vigilante

Kids Definition

chantey

noun

chan·​tey

variants or chanty

ˈshant-ē, 

ˈchant-

or shanty

ˈshant-

plural chanteys or chanties or shanties

: a song sung by sailors in rhythm with their work

Etymology

Noun

from French chanter "to sing," derived from Latin canere "to sing" — related to cantata, chant, charm