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

In the video, the Princess of Wales is first seen crouching down beside a field of purple flowers. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 12 May 2025

Over the years, there’s been some confusion about the value of crouching down like a baseball catcher to limit your own height. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025

Still, nobody is recommending calling the pets inside and crouching in fallout shelters. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 May 2025

Dressed in a long coat while carrying a black purse, Turner-Smith, who shares her daughter with ex-husband Joshua Jackson, crouched to her knees as her little girl perched on her leg. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for crouch

• bouche
• couch
• grouch
• ouch
• pouch
• slouch
• vouch

Kids Definition

crouch

verb

ˈkrau̇ch 

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

crouch noun