harboured

USAGE SUMMARY

'harboured' is a correct and usable word in written English.
The word can be used when describing the act of providing shelter or protection to someone or something. For example: "I harboured a secret desire to become a professional dancer." "The small town harboured a strong sense of community and belonging." "The fugitive was caught hiding in the cellar of a harbouring family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like many actors, Fassbender, who sings and plays guitar and keyboards in the film, admits he once harboured fantasies of rock stardom.

The Guardian - Film

I told him that although I'd harboured ambitions of going to San Siro, I'd probably left it too late now and so I'd end up watching it on the TV at home.

The Guardian - Sport

Three massive temples, built by the Greeks, tower over the ironing-board flatness of the surrounding marshes that lead to the sea - marshes that once harboured the malaria that drove away the city's population and left it a romantic, ghostly ruin.

The Guardian - Travel

Its deep canyons and dense pine forests have harboured narcos and hidden plantations of marijuana and opium poppies for decades.

The Guardian

If the French establishment has harboured a deep vein of anti-Jewish sentiment since long before the Dreyfus affair, the influence of radical Islam, many Jewish community leaders say, is plainly a significant contributing factor in the country's present-day antisemitism.

The Guardian

Although she harboured doubts when she presented her findings to her superiors, they recognised what she had found, and moved quickly.

The Guardian

The halo effect of the James Bond movies may also have something to do with it, which is odd given that until comparatively recently the senior ranks of 007's employer harboured a nest of Soviet spies.

The Guardian - Tech

It found that 24% of Europeans – 37% in France, 27% in Germany, 20% in Italy – harboured some kind of anti-Jewish attitude.

The Guardian

But for protesters themselves, taking up arms is usually a mistake.Massacres do indeed leave the culprits isolated on the international stage and reviled at home, as citizens lose any illusions they might have harboured about their rulers.

The Economist

Mr Bush and other administration officials have repeatedly promised to go to war not only with the culprits, but with all those who harboured or helped them as well.

The Economist

The Japanese carmaker has long harboured ambitions to launch itself into aerospace.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harboured" to convey a sense of secretly holding or nurturing a thought, feeling, or belief, often over a period. It adds depth to the description, suggesting more than just a passing thought.

Common error

Don't use "harboured" when a simpler word like "had" or "held" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or overly formal in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "harboured" functions as a past tense verb, typically used transitively. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the act of providing shelter or protection, or, more often, secretly holding or nurturing a thought or feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harboured" is a versatile past tense verb used to describe providing shelter or secretly holding onto thoughts and feelings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news and media sources, lending a neutral tone to writing. While it can add depth, remember that in some contexts, a simpler word might suffice. "Harboured" often implies a hidden or nurtured sentiment, distinguishing it from more straightforward terms. Use it to add nuance to your writing, suggesting a concealed or long-held thought or feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held

Direct synonym, focuses on the act of possessing or maintaining an idea or feeling.

entertained

Suggests considering or allowing a thought or feeling to remain in one's mind.

nursed

Implies carefully fostering or maintaining a feeling or idea over time.

sheltered

Focuses on providing protection or refuge, often in a figurative sense.

fostered

Indicates actively promoting or encouraging the growth of something, such as a belief.

concealed

Emphasizes the act of hiding or keeping secret something, like a thought or intention.

possessed

Highlights the feeling or idea as something strongly affecting the person.

secretly held

More explicit about the hidden nature of the idea or feeling.

privately maintained

Suggests keeping an idea or feeling without sharing it.

bore

Indicates carrying or enduring something, such as a feeling or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "harboured" in a sentence?

"Harboured" is typically used to describe secretly holding or nurturing a thought, feeling, or belief. For example, "She "harboured" a secret ambition to become a writer."

What are some alternatives to "harboured"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "held", "entertained", or "nursed". For instance, instead of "He "harboured" doubts", you might say "He "held doubts"".

Is it correct to say "harbored" instead of "harboured"?

Both "harbored" and "harboured" are correct, but "harbored" is the American English spelling, while "harboured" is preferred in British English. Choose the spelling that aligns with your intended audience.

What's the difference between "harboured" and "sheltered"?

"Harboured" often refers to thoughts or feelings that are secretly held, whereas "sheltered" typically implies providing physical protection or refuge. For example, "She "harboured" a secret crush", while "The forest "sheltered" them from the storm".