haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch 

ˈhänch

1

a

: hip entry 1 sense 1a

b

: hindquarter sense 2

—usually used in plural

2

: hindquarter sense 1

3

: either side of an arch between the springing and the crown

Phrases

on one's haunches

: in a squatting position

Synonyms

• backside
• behind
• booty [slang]
• bootie
• bottom
• breech
• bum
• buns
• butt
• buttocks
• caboose
• can
• cheeks
• derriere
• derrière
• duff
• fanny
• fundament
• hams
• heinie [slang]
• hunkers
• keister [slang]
• keester
• nates
• posterior
• rear
• rear end
• rump
• seat
• tail
• tail end
• tush [slang]

Examples of haunch in a Sentence

squatted down on her haunches to get a better shot of the ducks with her camera

Recent Examples on the Web

White cat Walter sits up on his haunches on the sofa, just out of reach of the puppy, who is reaching forward to try to gently bite the cat—who is repeatedly batting Winnie the puppy in the face. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Just as, two minutes earlier, Kylian Mbappe was bouncing on his haunches in agitated stress watching his team-mates try their luck from 12 yards, having been substituted in extra time. —Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 5 July 2024

May neither the Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024

Below those small fang-blades, each haunch floats independently over its respective wheel, the body panel previously connecting them deleted to save weight. —New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English haunche, from Anglo-French hanche, haunche, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch hanke haunch

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch 

ˈhänch

1

a

: hip entry 2

b

: hindquarter sense 2

—usually used in plural

2

: hindquarter sense 1