Small shanty is a phrase that refers to a small, simple, and often crude dwelling. Synonyms for small shanty include hut, shack, cabin, hovel, cottage, and lean-to. A hut is a small, simple, and often crude shelter made of natural materials like logs, thatch, or grasses. A shack is a crude dwelling made from any available materials, typically found in rural or impoverished areas. A cabin is a small, simple house, often built from logs or other natural materials. A hovel is a small, squalid, and often dilapidated dwelling, while a lean-to is a simple shelter typically attached to an existing building or structure.