noun
Common
hiding
HEYE-dihng
Hiding (noun) means the state of being concealed. Example: “The rabbit stayed in hiding under the bush until the fox left.”
noun
1
The state of being concealed.
"The rabbit stayed in hiding under the bush until the fox left."
"The family went into hiding in the countryside for several months."
"The suspect has been in hiding for weeks."
2
Informal: a beating, or a heavy defeat.
"Our lads got a proper hiding from the league leaders on Saturday."
"The home side gave their rivals a good hiding in the cup tie."
"The team took a real hiding in last night's match."
How to use hiding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither being concealed from view, or, informally, a thrashing or crushing defeat.
When to use it
The "beating/defeat" sense is informal, common in British English sports talk.
Common pairings
go into hiding
take a hiding
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Word forms
- Plural
- hidings
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The rabbit stayed in _____ under the bush until the fox left.
Etymology
Related to "hide" (Old English "hydan"); the "beating" sense likely comes from the older meaning of whipping someone with a strip of animal hide.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for hiding
See all rhymes for hiding →Frequently asked questions
What does “hiding” mean?
The word “hiding” means the state of being concealed. In plain terms, either being concealed from view, or, informally, a thrashing or crushing defeat.
How do you pronounce “hiding”?
“Hiding” is pronounced HEYE-dihng (/ˈhaɪdɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hiding” in a sentence?
Here is “hiding” used in a sentence: “The suspect has been in hiding for weeks.”
What part of speech is “hiding”?
“Hiding” is a noun.
Where does the word “hiding” come from?
The word “hiding” comes from Old English. Related to "hide" (Old English "hydan"); the "beating" sense likely comes from the older meaning of whipping someone with a strip of animal hide.
Is “hiding” a common word?
“Hiding” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hiding” have?
“Hiding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being concealed.
What is the difference between "in hiding" and "hiding"?
"In hiding" describes staying concealed to avoid being found, as when a fugitive is in hiding from the authorities. Plain "hiding" as a noun can mean the general state of being concealed, or, informally, a beating or heavy defeat.
Is "hiding" formal or informal when it means a beating?
The sense of "hiding" meaning a beating or heavy defeat is informal and colloquial, common in speech and casual writing. In formal contexts you would use words like "defeat," "thrashing," or "punishment" instead.
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