stoop

¹ American  

[stoop] / stup /

verb (used without object)

1. to bend the head and shoulders, or the body generally, forward and downward from an erect position.

   to stoop over a desk.

   Synonyms:

   crouch, lean

2. to carry the head and shoulders habitually bowed forward.

   to stoop from age.

3. (of trees, precipices, etc.) to bend, bow, or lean.

4. to descend from one's level of dignity; condescend; deign.

   Don't stoop to argue with him.

5. to swoop down, as a hawk at prey.

6. to submit; yield.

7. Obsolete. to come down from a height.

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verb (used with object)

1. to bend (oneself, one's head, etc.) forward and downward.

2. Archaic. to abase, humble, or subdue.

noun

1. the act or an instance of stooping.

2. a stooping position or carriage of body.

   The elderly man walked with a stoop.

3. a descent from dignity or superiority.

4. a downward swoop, as of a hawk.

stoop ² American  

[stoop] / stup /

noun

1. a small porch or platform at the entrance to a house, or the steps leading up to it.

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stoop ³ American  

[stoop] / stup /

noun

1. stoup.

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stoop ¹ British  

/ stuːp /

verb

1. (also tr) to bend (the body or the top half of the body) forward and downward

2. to carry oneself with head and shoulders habitually bent forward

3. (often foll by to) to abase or degrade oneself

4. (often foll by to) to condescend; deign

5. (of a bird of prey) to swoop down

6. archaic to give in

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noun

1. the act, position, or characteristic of stooping

2. a lowering from a position of dignity or superiority

3. a downward swoop, esp of a bird of prey

stoop ² British  

/ stuːp /

noun

1. a small platform with steps up to it at the entrance to a building

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stoop ³ British  

/ stuːp /

noun

1. archaic a pillar or post

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stoop ⁴ British  

/ stuːp /

noun

1. a less common spelling of stoup

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Related Words

See bend ¹.

Other Word Forms

• nonstooping adjective
• stooper noun
• stooping adjective
• stoopingly adverb
• unstooped adjective
• unstooping adjective

Etymology

Origin of stoop¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb stoupen, stupen, Old English stūpian; cognate with Middle Dutch stūpen “to bend, bow”; akin to steep ¹

Origin of stoop²

An Americanism dating back to 1670–80; from Dutch stoep; cognate with Middle Low German stōpe, German Stufe “step (in a stair)”; step

Example Sentences

Beetz stars as Asia, a young woman who turns up on the stoop of a high-end Manhattan apartment building, the Virgil, answering an ad for a maid job.

From Los Angeles Times

His first finish was the easiest goal he is likely to score in his career, stooping close to the goalline to head in after Kepa Arrizabalaga fumbled the ball into his path.

From BBC

It was impossible to recognize that stooped and shabby little man in the glorious figure at the door, greeting newcomers with a formal welcome followed by a relentless tour of the shop.

From Literature

Then he stooped and entered the stone mouth.

From Literature

And the difference in intensity between her voice and the telephone caller makes it nearly impossible—Mrs. Dannenberg has her voice raised, calling out to us from her stoop.

From Literature

Related Words

• crouch
• hunch
• squat