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 finished dessert was a cake baked to perfection, with nary a crack, dome or sunken center in sight.
From Salon • Jun. 14, 2026
It was known that when whales die and drop to the seafloor, their sunken bodies -- called "whale falls" -- provide a source of food to deep-sea creatures.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
The dwelling sits on a .29-acre lot and boasts a luxe backyard with an infinity-edge pool, a sunken fire pit area, and gorgeous views of the city.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
Historic unemployment, lower quality of life and sunken morale among workers—and it won’t be without consequence.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
His cheeks were sunken; he’d lost a lot of weight and he needed a haircut.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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.
