sunken
Americanadjective
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having sunk or been sunk beneath the surface; submerged.
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having settled to a lower level, as walls.
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situated or lying on a lower level.
a sunken living room.
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hollow; depressed.
sunken cheeks.
verb
verb
adjective
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unhealthily hollow
sunken cheeks
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situated at a lower level than the surrounding or usual one
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situated under water; submerged
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depressed; low
sunken spirits
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sunken
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, past participle of sinken to sink
Explanation
If something is sunken, it's caved in, inwardly curved, or under water. If a pirate talks about sunken treasure, he probably means that the treasure chest in a ship that's at the bottom of the ocean. If a realtor is describing a house's sunken living room, she's talking about a room that sits lower than surrounding rooms do. A sunken garden is situated lower and deeper than the rest of your yard. Sunken eyes can be caused by age, exhaustion, or dehydration. The adjective sunken is formed from the past participle of the verb sink, "go under."
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.
The remains of a sunken Hungarian cargo ship resurfaced in Croatia, while the hulks of a German river flotilla was seen in Serbia.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
The San Francisco Police Department is working with the state Office of Emergency Services to locate the sunken boat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026
Nearby, 65-year-old Juana Alfonzo still moves around her home, even though the floor is sunken and cracked, and the columns show visible damage.
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
Upon entering the dwelling, guests are greeted with classic Hamptons charm and modern luxury, offering vaulted ceilings, five fireplaces, a sunken living room, formal dining room, and an expansive chef’s kitchen designed for entertaining.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
He was tall and gaunt, with a pale skin and sunken eyes the colour of a kingfisher’s wing, neither blue nor green.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
