cower
Cower (verb) means to crouch down or shrink back in fear. Example: “The puppy cowered in the corner during the thunderstorm.”
How to Use Cower
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo physically shrink back or crouch out of fear.
Not related to "coward," even though they look connected — cower describes the physical action of cringing in fear.
Word Forms
cowered past tense, cowered past tense, cowers singular, cowers singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The puppy _____ in the corner during the thunderstorm.
Etymology
From Middle English couren, related to Germanic words meaning "to lie in wait" or "to squat" — unrelated to "coward," despite the similar look.
Related Words
Rhymes for cower
See all rhymes for cower →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “cower” mean?
The word “cower” means to crouch down or shrink back in fear. In plain terms, to physically shrink back or crouch out of fear.
How do you pronounce “cower”?
“Cower” is pronounced KOW-uh (/ˈkaʊɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cower” in a sentence?
Here is “cower” used in a sentence: “The puppy cowered in the corner during the thunderstorm.”
What part of speech is “cower”?
“Cower” is a verb.
Where does the word “cower” come from?
The word “cower” comes from Middle English. From Middle English couren, related to Germanic words meaning "to lie in wait" or "to squat" — unrelated to "coward," despite the similar look.