crouch
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for crouch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To bend the knees and lower the body close to the ground, often to hide, prepare to spring, or avoid being seen.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use crouch
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
crouch down
crouch behind something
a low crouch
Etymology
From Middle English crouchen, related to "crook" — ultimately from an Old Norse word for a hook, describing the bent shape of the body.
Full origin of crouch →Frequently asked questions
What does “crouch” mean?
The word “crouch” means to bend the knees and lower the body close to the ground, often to hide, prepare to spring, or avoid being seen. In plain terms, to bend down low with knees bent, like getting ready to jump or hide.
How do you pronounce “crouch”?
“Crouch” is pronounced KROWCH (/ˈkɹaʊ̯t͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “crouch” in a sentence?
Here is “crouch” used in a sentence: “The cat crouched low, watching the bird on the fence.”
What part of speech is “crouch”?
Depending on how it is used, “crouch” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “crouch” come from?
The word “crouch” comes from Middle English. From Middle English crouchen, related to "crook" — ultimately from an Old Norse word for a hook, describing the bent shape of the body.
Is “crouch” a common word?
“Crouch” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crouch” have?
“Crouch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bend the knees and lower the body close to the ground, often to hide, prepare to spring, or avoid being seen.
