noun
Common
den
DEHN
Den (noun) means a wild animal's shelter, such as a cave or burrow. Example: “The bear spent the winter asleep in its den high on the mountain.”
noun
1
A wild animal's shelter, such as a cave or burrow.
"The bear spent the winter asleep in its den high on the mountain."
"The fox retreated to its den at the first sign of danger."
"Cubs stay in the den with their mother for weeks after birth."
2
A small, cozy room in a home used for relaxing rather than formal entertaining.
"The children curled up in the den with blankets and a good book."
"He set up his home office in the den."
"They spent the evening watching movies in the den."
3
A place associated with a disreputable or secretive activity.
"Rumour said the back room of the shop was a den for illegal card games."
"The smoky den behind the market was where the schemers met in secret."
"The old bar was known as a den of gamblers."
How to use den
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shelter for an animal, or a cozy home room, or (figuratively) a hangout for shady dealings.
Common pairings
lion's den
den of thieves
family den
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Word forms
- Plural
- dens
- Third person singular
- dens
- Past tense
- denned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bear spent the winter asleep in its _____ high on the mountain.
Etymology
From Old English denn, "lair of a beast," related to a Proto-West Germanic word for a threshing floor or pasture.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “den” mean?
The word “den” means a wild animal's shelter, such as a cave or burrow. In plain terms, a shelter for an animal, or a cozy home room, or (figuratively) a hangout for shady dealings.
How do you pronounce “den”?
“Den” is pronounced DEHN (/ˈdɛn/ in IPA).
How do you use “den” in a sentence?
Here is “den” used in a sentence: “The fox retreated to its den at the first sign of danger.”
What part of speech is “den”?
“Den” is a noun.
Where does the word “den” come from?
The word “den” comes from Old English. From Old English denn, "lair of a beast," related to a Proto-West Germanic word for a threshing floor or pasture.
Is “den” a common word?
“Den” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “den” have?
“Den” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wild animal's shelter, such as a cave or burrow.
What is the difference between a den and a living room?
A den is a small, cozy room used for relaxing informally, while a living room is usually the larger space where guests are entertained. Many households use the den for reading, watching television, or working, and keep the living room for more formal occasions.
What is the difference between a den and a lair?
Both words describe a wild animal's shelter, such as a cave or burrow, but lair carries a more sinister tone and is the usual word for a villain's hideout in fiction. Den is the neutral, everyday term and appears in set phrases like "bear den" and "the lion's den."
Which animals live in a den?
A den is a wild animal's shelter, typically a cave, burrow, or similar protected spot. English speakers use the word most often for animals such as bears, foxes, wolves, and lions, as in "a fox's den."
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