crouch
Americanverb (used without object)
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crouches,
present (3rd person singular)
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crouched,
past participle, past
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crouching
present participle
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to stoop or bend low.
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to bend close to the ground, as an animal preparing to spring or shrinking with fear.
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to bow or stoop servilely; cringe.
verb (used with object)
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crouches,
present (3rd person singular)
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crouched,
past participle, past
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crouching
present participle
noun
verb
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(intr) to bend low with the limbs pulled up close together, esp (of an animal) in readiness to pounce
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(intr) to cringe, as in humility or fear
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(tr) to bend (parts of the body), as in humility or fear
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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crouchsimple
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crouchessimple
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have crouchedperfect
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has crouchedperfect
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am crouchingprogressive
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are crouchingprogressive
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is crouchingprogressive
-
have been crouchingperfect progressive
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has been crouchingperfect progressive
Past
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crouchedsimple
-
had crouchedperfect
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was crouchingprogressive
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were crouchingprogressive
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had been crouchingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of crouch
1175–1225; Middle English crouchen, perhaps blend of couchen to lie down ( see couch) and croken to crook 1
Explanation
To crouch is to bend your knees, pull your body in, and sit on your heels. This position is called a crouch. You might crouch down to pet a kitten or catch a baseball. The catcher in baseball stands in a low crouch, waiting for the pitch. Little kids might crouch in a closet or under a table when they play hide and seek. People crouch when they’re in a small space or to keep themselves warm. When you’re in a crouch, your body takes up less space. Crouch comes from the French crochir, "become bent or crooked," after the shape of a hook or a croche.
Vocabulary lists containing crouch
Unit 1: Telling Details
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"Raymond's Run"
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From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She’d occasionally crouch down to take a sip from her water bottle, which matched her ensemble.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026
Others carry the earth to a nearby seasonal river, where mostly women crouch in the murky water, washing and sifting mud and sand hoping to detect a tiny trace of the element.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
At no point can a skier duck into a crouch and let gravity carry him while he catches his breath.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026
Now, Pope John believed, it was time to leave that defensive crouch and boldly proclaim Jesus as “the light of the nations.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
I crouch down on the floor next to Jonah, and Maverick bounces to me, puts his paws on my shoulders, and slurps my face.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Another says, "He never spouts empty, feel-good platitudes; instead, he crouches down to face real-life dilemmas alongside us."
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
The woman crouches, coaxing the animal with sweet compliments and a stick of sugarcane she brought with her.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
He crouches unusually low in the ring to maintain his balance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 24, 2026
On the other end of the spectrum crouches The Liver King, the subject of a recently debuted episode of Netflix’s “Untold” sports documentary series.
From Salon ● Jun. 1, 2025
Soon Mr. Herd joins us in the corner and crouches down, too.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
Others have filmed themselves adopting his signature posture: crouched halfway to the ground, hands on his knees.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
The man was crouched behind a 5-foot-tall gun safe Roebuck had purchased a few weeks earlier.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
Relatives crouched on the floor to say their final goodbyes to loved ones, kissing the faces of the dead between sobs.
From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026
Meghan recently called Lilibet "Mama's little helper", after posting an image of them in what looks like a walk-in wardrobe, where the duchess is trying on a coat while her daughter is crouched down nearby.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
Rowan crouched on the grass, one hand in Jillers, the other resting on Jonn's chest.
From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda
About 40% of people in their 60s have some difficulty crouching, kneeling or stooping.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
She sort of darts into frame, or she’s crouching, even the movement of her hands as she’s reenacting what might have happened.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026
Video footage from the event showed senior administration officials and cabinet secretaries, including deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, FBI Director Kash Patel and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., crouching down.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026
Attendees took cover, crouching under tables, as several loud sounds were heard in the large ballroom while guests were eating.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026
Henry said, crouching down and giving him a hard look.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
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