den

[ den ]

/ dɛn /

Save This Word!

noun

the lair or shelter of a wild animal, especially a predatory mammal.

a room, often secluded, in a house or apartment, designed to provide a quiet, comfortable, and informal atmosphere for conversation, reading, writing, etc.

a cave used as a place of shelter or concealment.

a squalid or vile abode or place: dens of misery.

one of the units of a cub scout pack, analogous to a patrol in the Boy Scouts.

verb (used with object), denned, den·ning.

to drive or pursue (an animal) into its den.

to kill (an animal) inside its den.

verb (used without object), denned, den·ning.

to live in or as if in a den.

QUIZ

GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!

Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.

Question 1 of 9

Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of den

before 1000; Middle English; Old English denn; compare early Dutch denne floor, cave, den, German Tenne floor

Words nearby den

demyelinate, demyelinating disease, demyelination, demystify, demythologize, den, Denali, Denali National Park, Denali National Park and Preserve, denar, denarius

Other definitions for den (2 of 2)

Den.

abbreviation

Denmark.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use den in a sentence

It’s a notion that’s launched more than a few books and pseudo-docs, all hinging on the fact that most of the planet’s nether waters are unexplored—and therefore rife with primo dens for enigmatic beasts.
Could an ancient megashark still lurk in the deep seas?|By Riley Black|October 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Yet behind the we’re-just-here-to-help-folks-realize-their-dreams facade, I’d say the Silicon Valley company always has been a den of buttoned-up MBAs trying to optimize its e-commerce engine.
eBay’s pathetic, power-hungry pranksters|Adam Lashinsky|September 28, 2020|Fortune
Female wolverines use snowfall in the winter to build their natal dens, where they birth and take care of their young.
Mount Rainier’s first wolverine mama in a century is a sign of the species’ comeback|Hannah Seo|August 28, 2020|Popular-Science
Chestnut says that finding and measuring these dens would have provided insight as to how the mothers choose their nesting locations, and helped them protect areas of their park that could serve as dens in the future.
Mount Rainier’s first wolverine mama in a century is a sign of the species’ comeback|Hannah Seo|August 28, 2020|Popular-Science

This is especially true of the 1002 coastal plain portion, which has the largest number of polar bear dens in Alaska.
The Trump administration opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil companies—but none may bite|By Scott L. Montgomery/The Conversation|August 26, 2020|Popular-Science
In a chapter titled “Fox Den,” he braves brambles in an attempt to follow his neighborhood urban fox.
Discovering Underground Labyrinths, Remote Cities, and More of the World’s Lost Places|Nina Strochlic|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is unknown whether John Doe is David Neuman, who was once an executive at DEN.
New Hollywood Sex Scandal: Bryan Singer’s Accuser Files Another Suit|Tim Teeman|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The occasion was his Pitch At The Palace event, a Dragon's den-style forum for entrepreneurs to seek investment.
Prince Andrew Tweets First True Royal Selfie|Tom Sykes|April 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He introduces me to the head bartender, Peter Van Den Bossche.
The Secret Speakeasies of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heinz wrote the book in his makeshift den, a bantam-size office that he had constructed off the TV room in a corner of his garage.
The Night Vince Lombardi Lay Awake Brooding Over a 49-0 Win|W.C. Heinz|January 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Over the mantel in our parlor we have a picture of the lion's den, and it is one of the choicest of our family treasures.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
"'Bared the lion in hith den—the Doog-dug-lath——'" Abraham stopped and took a long breath.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Then he returned to the den and found his people recovering somewhat from their surprise.
The Garret and the Garden|R.M. Ballantyne
Mr. Ralph found me in his den, I was arranging one of his tables, and he said that he wanted to talk to me.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline|Jennie M. Drinkwater
Often the doctor came to Hill Street and sat for long periods with the general in that small, cosy room which was his den.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux

British Dictionary definitions for den (1 of 2)

den

/ (dɛn) /

noun

the habitat or retreat of a lion or similar wild animal; lair

a small or secluded room in a home, often used for carrying on a hobby

a squalid or wretched room or retreat

a site or haunta den of vice

Scot a small wooded valley; dingle

Scot and Northern English dialect a place of sanctuary in certain catching games; home or base

verb dens, denning or denned

(intr) to live in or as if in a den

Word Origin for den

Old English denn; related to Old High German tenni threshing floor, early Dutch denne low ground, den, cave

British Dictionary definitions for den (2 of 2)

Den.

abbreviation for

Denmark

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