Harbour vs. Harbor — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on July 15, 2024
Harbour is the incorrect spelling of harbor. Harbor is a place on the coast where vessels may find shelter.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Harbour or Harbor
How to spell Harbor?
Harbour
Incorrect Spelling
Harbor
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
The word "harbor" ends with "or," not "our," in American English.
Remember "harbor" for U.S. English by associating the 'o' with "ocean" since both harbor and ocean have 'o'.
"Harbour" is used in British English; drop the 'u' for the American version: "harbor".
Visualize "harbor" as a place for ships, with "ar" in the middle.
Think of "harbor" as having "har" followed by "bor."
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How Do You Spell Harbor Correctly?
Incorrect: She enjoyed her time at the harbour with her family.
Correct: She enjoyed her time at the harbor with her family.
Incorrect: The harbour was very crowded with boats.
Correct: The harbor was very crowded with boats.
Incorrect: Harbour is a nice place to visit during the summer.
Correct: Harbor is a nice place to visit during the summer.
Incorrect: They built a new restaurant near the harbour.
Correct: They built a new restaurant near the harbor.
Incorrect: We went fishing near the old harbour.
Correct: We went fishing near the old harbor.
Harbor Definitions
A place of refuge or safety.
The fugitive sought harbor in a remote town.
To hold and nurture a plan or goal secretly.
She harbored ambitions of becoming a famous writer.
To keep a thought or feeling, typically negative, in one's mind.
He harbored resentment towards his coworker for many years.
A harbor (American English) or harbour (British English; see spelling differences) (synonym: haven) is a sheltered body of water where ships, boats, and barges can be docked. The term harbor is often used interchangeably with port, which is a man-made facility built for loading and unloading vessels and dropping off and picking up passengers.
A sheltered part of a body of water deep enough to provide anchorage for ships.
A place of shelter; a refuge.
To give shelter to
Harbor refugees.
Harbor a fugitive.
To provide a place, home, or habitat for
A basement that harbors a maze of pipes.
Streams that harbor trout and bass.
To entertain or nourish (a specified thought or feeling)
Harbor a grudge.
(countable) Any place of shelter.
The neighborhood is a well-known harbor for petty thieves.
A sheltered expanse of water, adjacent to land, in which ships may anchor or dock, especially for loading and unloading.
A harbor, even if it is a little harbor, is a good thing, since adventurers come into it as well as go out, and the life in it grows strong, because it takes something from the world, and has something to give in return - Sarah Orne Jewett
A mixing box for materials.
A house of the zodiac, or the mansion of a heavenly body.
Shelter, refuge.
(transitive) To provide a harbor or safe place for.
The docks, which once harbored tall ships, now harbor only petty thieves.
(intransitive) To take refuge or shelter in a protected expanse of water.
The fleet harbored in the south.
(transitive) To drive (a hunted stag) to covert.
(transitive) To hold or persistently entertain in one's thoughts or mind.
She harbors a conviction that her husband has a secret, criminal past.
A station for rest and entertainment; a place of security and comfort; a refuge; a shelter.
[A grove] fair harbour that them seems.
For harbor at a thousand doors they knocked.
Specif.: A lodging place; an inn.
The mansion of a heavenly body.
A portion of a sea, a lake, or other large body of water, either landlocked or artificially protected so as to be a place of safety for vessels in stormy weather; a port or haven.
To afford lodging to; to entertain as a guest; to shelter; to receive; to give a refuge to; to indulge or cherish (a thought or feeling, esp. an ill thought); as, to harbor a grudge.
Any place that harbors men.
The bare suspicion made it treason to harbor the person suspected.
Let not your gentle breast harbor one thought of outrage.
To lodge, or abide for a time; to take shelter, as in a harbor.
For this night let's harbor here in York.
A sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
A place of refuge and comfort and security
Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings);
Bear a grudge
Entertain interesting notions
Harbor a resentment
Secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
Keep in one's possession; of animals
Hold back a thought or feeling about;
She is harboring a grudge against him
A sheltered body of water where ships, boats, and barges can be docked.
The large ships anchored safely in the harbor.
To give a home or shelter to someone.
She harbored the lost puppy until its owner was found.
Harbor Meaning in a Sentence
Fishermen returned to the harbor with their catch.
Seagulls soared above the harbor, searching for food.
Many tourists visited the harbor during the festival.
The harbor master directed the large vessel to a docking area.
The cold breeze swept across the harbor, bringing fresh sea scents.
She liked to paint the harbor during different seasons.
The harbor was calm under the bright moonlight.
Small boats floated peacefully in the harbor.
Children played on the shore beside the bustling harbor.
The old lighthouse stood guard over the harbor.
Tour boats frequently took visitors around the harbor.
The harbor was a popular spot for local anglers.
The harbor festival featured boat races and seafood.
The annual fireworks show was held over the harbor.
The harbor lights twinkled beautifully at night.
The harbor was dredged to allow larger ships to enter.
The naval ships were anchored at one end of the harbor.
Old warehouses near the harbor were converted into apartments.
A cruise ship left the harbor for a tropical destination.
The sunset over the harbor was a sight to behold.
The harbor area was renovated to attract more tourists.
A luxury yacht entered the harbor, attracting attention.
Kayakers enjoyed paddling around the calm harbor waters.
He proposed to her during a boat ride in the harbor.
The city planned to develop the harbor area further.
Harbor Idioms & Phrases
Seek harbor
To look for a place to rest or stay safe.
After their long journey, they sought harbor at a nearby inn.
Harbor a grudge
To maintain resentment or ill feelings towards someone.
He harbored a grudge against his former boss for years.
Harbor resentment
To continue feeling resentful.
She harbored resentment toward her colleague for the unfair treatment.
Harbor no illusions
To maintain a realistic view; not be misled by hopes.
She harbored no illusions about the challenges ahead.
Harbor of refuge
A safe place during trouble or distress.
The embassy served as a harbor of refuge for expatriates.
Harbor suspicions
To have doubts or suspicions about someone or something.
She harbored suspicions about the mysterious visitor.
Safe harbor
A place of safety and refuge.
The small town was a safe harbor during the storm.
Home harbor
One's hometown or the place where one feels most comfortable.
After years abroad, he returned to his home harbor.
In safe harbor
Secure and free from danger.
The sailors felt in safe harbor once they reached the port.
Harbor feelings
To hold emotional states privately.
He harbored deep feelings for her that he never expressed.
Leave the harbor
To start an adventure or leave safety.
They were ready to leave the harbor and explore new opportunities.
Harbor doubts
To feel uncertain or skeptical about something.
She harbored doubts about the success of the new policy.
Political harbor
A situation or place offering protection from political unrest.
The politician sought political harbor in a neutral country.
Harbor plans
To secretly plan.
They harbored plans to open their own business.
Offer harbor
To provide refuge or shelter.
The village offered harbor to travelers during the winter.
Return to harbor
To come back to a safe or familiar place.
After many years of travel, she returned to harbor in her hometown.
Break from harbor
To depart from a safe place into uncertainty or danger.
The expedition team broke from harbor at dawn.
Harbor light
Guidance or a means of navigation.
His advice served as a harbor light during difficult times.
Harbor a secret
To keep a secret hidden.
He harbored a secret that could change everything.
Without a harbor
Being in a vulnerable or exposed position.
Without a harbor, the small boat faced the storm alone.
Common Curiosities
How is harbor used in a sentence?
Harbor is used as both a noun and a verb in sentences.
What is a stressed syllable in harbor?
The stressed syllable in "harbor" is "har."
Why is it called harbor?
The term "harbor" comes from the Old English "herebeorg," meaning a place of shelter or refuge.
How many syllables are in harbor?
Harbor has two syllables.
How do we divide harbor into syllables?
Harbor is divided into syllables as har-bor.
What is another term for harbor?
Another term for "harbor" is "port."
What is the root word of harbor?
The root word of "harbor" is the Old English "herebeorg."
What is the third form of harbor?
The third form of "harbor" as a verb is "harbored."
What is the pronunciation of harbor?
Harbor is pronounced as /ˈhɑːrbər/.
What is the singular form of harbor?
The singular form is "harbor."
What is the verb form of harbor?
The verb form of "harbor" is also "harbor," as in to harbor someone or something.
What is the plural form of harbor?
The plural form is "harbors."
Is harbor a countable noun?
Yes, harbor is a countable noun.
Is the harbor term a metaphor?
The term "harbor" can be used metaphorically to describe a place of safety.
What is the first form of harbor?
The first form of "harbor" is "harbor" as a noun or verb.
Is harbor an adverb?
No, harbor is not an adverb.
Is the word harbor imperative?
No, "harbor" is not typically used in the imperative mood.
What is the opposite of harbor?
The opposite of "harbor" could be "expose" or "abandon."
Is harbor a vowel or consonant?
The word "harbor" starts with a consonant.
Is the word harbor Gerund?
No, "harbor" does not function as a gerund; its gerund form would be "harboring."
Which determiner is used with harbor?
Determiners such as "the," "a," "this," and "that" can be used with "harbor."
Which article is used with harbor?
The definite article "the" or the indefinite "a" can be used with "harbor" depending on the context.
What is the second form of harbor?
The second form of "harbor" as a verb is "harbored."
What part of speech is harbor?
Harbor is a noun and a verb.
Is harbor a noun or adjective?
Harbor is primarily a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
Is harbor an abstract noun?
No, harbor is a concrete noun, representing a physical place.
Is harbor a negative or positive word?
Harbor is generally a neutral word, but it can have positive connotations when referring to safety.
Is harbor a collective noun?
Harbor is not typically considered a collective noun.
Is the word “harbor” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In sentences where "harbor" is used as a noun, it can be a direct object.
Which preposition is used with harbor?
Prepositions such as "in," "at," and "into" are commonly used with "harbor."
Which vowel is used before harbor?
Vowels like "a" or "the" can be used before "harbor" depending on the context.
Which conjunction is used with harbor?
Conjunctions like "and" and "but" can be used with "harbor."
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
