crouch

verb

ˈkrau̇ch 

crouched; crouching; crouches

intransitive verb

1

a

: to lower the body stance especially by bending the legs

The sprinter crouched and was ready to go.

b

: to lie close to the ground with the legs bent

… a pair of cats, crouching on the brink of a fight.

—Aldous Huxley

2

: to bend or bow servilely : cringe

3

: to stand at a low height

Cottages crouched along the river.

transitive verb

: to bow especially in humility or fear : bend

The dog crouched its head.

crouch noun

Synonyms

• couch
• huddle
• hunch
• hunker (down)
• scrunch
• squat
• squinch

Examples of crouch in a Sentence

She crouched down, trying to get a closer look at the spider.

The lion crouched in the tall grass, waiting to attack the gazelle.

Recent Examples on the Web

Zhenya crouches there in the hallway, cradling her hands, her jacket released. —Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024

In the opening scene of the third season of Somebody Somewhere, Bridget Everett’s character, Sam Miller, crouches on the floor of a bar, talking baby-talk to a dog. —Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024

Arthur sat in an armchair and Blair crouched down beside him as service dog Scout sat on the ground in front of them. —Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2024

In one special snap, Cannon crouched down behind the birthday girl, and the two are surrounded by five of his 12 children: twin boys Zion and Zillion and daughter Beautiful, as well as son Legendary. —Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

crouch

verb

ˈkrau̇ch 

: to stoop or bend low with the arms and legs close to the body

crouch noun