verb
hunker
HUHNG-kuh
Hunker (verb) means to crouch or squat down close to the ground. Example: “They hunkered down behind the wall to avoid the wind.”
verb
1
To crouch or squat down close to the ground.
"They hunkered down behind the wall to avoid the wind."
"Get out of the mobile home and hunker in a ditch"
— , Tornado Safety (2020)
2
(usually "hunker down") To settle in and commit to a task or wait something out.
"We hunkered down with snacks and blankets to ride out the storm."
How to use hunker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo crouch low, or to settle in and prepare to wait something out or focus hard on a task.
Common pairings
hunker down
hunker down for the storm
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Word forms
- Plural
- hunkers
- Third person singular
- hunkers
- Past tense
- hunkered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ down behind the wall to avoid the wind.
Etymology
Originally Scottish, of uncertain but likely Germanic origin, related to Old Norse huka, "to crouch."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hunker
See all rhymes for hunker →Frequently asked questions
What does “hunker” mean?
The word “hunker” means to crouch or squat down close to the ground. In plain terms, to crouch low, or to settle in and prepare to wait something out or focus hard on a task.
How do you pronounce “hunker”?
“Hunker” is pronounced HUHNG-kuh (/ˈhʌŋkɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hunker” in a sentence?
Here is “hunker” used in a sentence: “They hunkered down behind the wall to avoid the wind.”
What part of speech is “hunker”?
“Hunker” is a verb.
Where does the word “hunker” come from?
The word “hunker” comes from Old Norse. Originally Scottish, of uncertain but likely Germanic origin, related to Old Norse huka, "to crouch.".
How many meanings does “hunker” have?
“Hunker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to crouch or squat down close to the ground.
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