hunker
to crouch or squat on one's heels: He hunkered to be at eye level with his dog.I can’t hunker with this bad knee.
to hunch: The driver hunkered over the steering wheel.
to hide, hide out, or take shelter, often for just a few hours or less, as from a pursuer or a storm: The escaped convicts hunkered in a cave in the mountains.
to settle in to the safety of one’s home or other designated shelter for a potentially prolonged time, as would be necessitated by a natural disaster or an outbreak of a contagious disease: Many local residents hunkered in the basement of the fire station.
Slang. to lumber along; walk or move slowly or aimlessly: A small black bear was seen hunkering through the neighborhood.
hunkers, one's haunches.
hunker down. See entry at hunker down.
Idioms about hunker
on one's hunkers,
British Informal. squatting on one's heels.
suffering a period of poverty, bad luck, or the like.
Origin of hunker
1Other definitions for Hunker (2 of 2)
a member of the conservative faction in the Democratic Party in New York State, 1845–48.
Origin of Hunker
2Other words from Hunker
- Hun·ker·ism, noun
- Hun·ker·ous, adjective
- Hun·ker·ous·ness, noun
- Compare Barnburner (def. 3).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hunker in a sentence
I was hunkered down in my seat in the Municipalidad del Cuzco and thrilled—my heart was beating so fast!
The company commander had also been badly wounded, they said, as they hunkered down under a highway overpass.
Ukraine Rebels Boast About Troops and Tanks Coming from Russia | Jamie Dettmer | August 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHunkered down in a bunker, she, Mellie, and Fitz argue over what details about their relationship they want to make public.
Kerry Washington’s Favorite ‘Scandal’ Season 3 Moments | Kerry Washington | August 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTInstead, the politician who once braved a crowded Mumbai train hunkered down at home.
With bridges closed, transportation suspended, and power out for many, New York hunkered down Monday evening.
How New York City Waited for the Worst of Hurricane Sandy | Michael Daly | October 29, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
She arose and shambled across to Archie and hunkered her big self down beside him.
Letters of a Woman Homesteader | Elinore Pruitt StewartThere was a shallow tub of water for the birds to drink; Beth hunkered down beside it, and held out her hand, full of corn.
The Beth Book | Sarah GrandHe was hunkered down behind some rocks at the crest, peering over them at the valley below.
Eight Keys to Eden | Mark Irvin CliftonThey hunkered down in the lee of one of the snow-drifts, where the wind could not reach them.
Quest of the Golden Ape | Ivar JorgensenThe tall man walked around to stand in front of Little Foot, hunkered down and said, "Howdy."
Shaman | Robert Shea
British Dictionary definitions for hunker
/ (ˈhʌŋkə) /
(intr often foll by down) to squat; crouch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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