shelly

adjective

ˈshe-lē 

shellier; shelliest

1

: abounding in or covered with shells

a shelly shore

2

: of, relating to, or resembling a shell

Examples of shelly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Paleontologists have found indentations of the reptiles’ impressive teeth on the shells of squid relatives called ammonites, demonstrating how the lizards grabbed and crushed their shelly meals. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shelly

adjective

ˈshel-ē 

shellier; shelliest

1

: full of or covered with shells and especially seashells

a shelly beach

2

: consisting of a shell or shells

a crab's shelly home