hunker
[ huhng-ker ]
/ ˈhʌŋ kər /
verb (used without object)
to squat on one's heels (often followed by down).
Informal.
- to hunch: The driver hunkered over the steering wheel.
- to hide, hide out, or take shelter (usually followed by down): The escaped convicts hunkered down in a cave in the mountains.
- to hold resolutely or stubbornly to a policy, opinion, etc., when confronted by criticism, opposition, or unfavorable circumstances (usually followed by down): Though all the evidence was against him, he hunkered down and refused to admit his guilt.
Slang. to lumber along; walk or move slowly or aimlessly.
noun
hunkers, one's haunches.
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Idioms for hunker
- British Informal. squatting on one's heels.
- suffering a period of poverty, bad luck, or the like.
on one's hunkers,
Origin of hunker
1710–20; apparently hunk (perhaps nasalized variant of huck haunch; akin to Old Norse hūka to crouch) + -er6
Words nearby hunker
hungnam, hungover, hungry, hungtow island, hunk, hunker, hunkers, hunkpapa, hunks, hunky, hunky-dory
Definition for hunker (2 of 2)
Hunker
[ huhng-ker ]
/ ˈhʌŋ kər /
noun
a member of the conservative faction in the Democratic Party in New York State, 1845–48.
Compare Barnburner(def 3).
Origin of Hunker
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; origin uncertain
OTHER WORDS FROM Hunker
Hun·ker·ism, nounHun·ker·ous, adjectiveHun·ker·ous·ness, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for hunker
British Dictionary definitions for hunker
hunker
/ (ˈhʌŋkə) /
verb
(intr often foll by down) to squat; crouch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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