General
hunker
What does hunker mean?
To squat on the heels, or figuratively to dig in and wait something out.
"We hunkered down in the cellar till the storm passed."
Origin
18th-century Scots dialect "hunker" (to squat); carried into Southern and Appalachian speech.
Frequently asked questions
What does "hunker" mean?
To hunker means to crouch or squat on your heels, or figuratively to dig in and wait something out—usually "hunker down."
How do you use "hunker"?
Use it as a verb, often with "down," as in "We hunkered down in the cellar till the storm passed."
Where does "hunker" come from?
It's from 18th-century Scots dialect "hunker" (to squat), carried into Southern and Appalachian speech.
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