verb
cower
KOW-uh
Cower (verb) means to crouch down or shrink back in fear. Example: “The puppy cowered in the corner during the thunderstorm.”
verb
1
To crouch down or shrink back in fear.
"The puppy cowered in the corner during the thunderstorm."
"She cowered behind the sofa when the intruder broke in."
How to use cower
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo physically shrink back or crouch out of fear.
Common mistake
Not related to "coward," even though they look connected — cower describes the physical action of cringing in fear.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
cower in fear
cower in the corner
cower before someone
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- cowers
- Past tense
- cowered
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.
