harbour

An area of water protected from strong waves where boats can stay safely.

• The boats are in the harbour.
• Our ship entered the harbour before dark.
• A small fishing harbour lies beyond the beach.

Similar words: harbor, port, haven

Common phrases: fishing harbour, in the harbour, enter the harbour, harbour entrance

To keep a thought or feeling in your mind, often without telling others.

• I still harbour doubts about the plan.
• He harboured a secret ambition to become an actor.
• Do you harbour any resentment against your sister?

How to use it: harbour resentment against someone (She still harbours resentment against her former boss.)

Similar words: hold, nurse, cherish

Common phrases: harbour doubts, harbour a grudge, harbour hopes, harbour resentment

To give someone or something a safe place to stay, sometimes secretly.

• The bay can harbour small boats.
• They harboured refugees during the war.
• Police accused him of harbouring a fugitive.

Similar words: shelter, hide, protect

Common phrases: harbour a fugitive, harbour refugees, harbour ships, harbour someone secretly

To stay somewhere that gives protection or shelter.

• The ships harbour here in winter.
• We harboured in the bay during the storm.
• Several boats were harbouring near the island.

How to use it: harbour in a place (The boats harboured in a sheltered bay.)

Similar words: shelter, take refuge

Common phrases: harbour in something, harbour for winter