stoop

1 of 3

verb

ˈstüp 

stooped; stooping; stoops

intransitive verb

1

a

: to bend the body or a part of the body forward and downward sometimes simultaneously bending the knees

b

: to stand or walk with a forward inclination of the head, body, or shoulders

2

: yield, submit

3

a

: to descend from a superior rank, dignity, or status

b

: to lower oneself morally

stooped to lying

4

a

archaic : to move down from a height : alight

b

: to fly or dive down swiftly usually to attack prey

transitive verb

1

: debase, degrade

2

: to bend (a part of the body) forward and downward

stoop

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

a

: an act of bending the body forward

b

: a temporary or habitual forward bend of the back and shoulders

2

: the descent of a bird especially on its prey

3

: a lowering of oneself

stoop

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a porch, platform, entrance stairway, or small veranda at a house door

Synonyms

Verb

• condescend
• deign

Noun (2)

• gallery [Southern & Midland]
• lanai
• piazza [dialect]
• porch
• veranda
• verandah

Examples of stoop in a Sentence

Verb

She stooped down to hug the child.

He had to stoop to pick it up.

He tends to stoop as he walks.

He really did that? I didn't think he could stoop so low.

Noun (2)

the stoop at the front entrance is just big enough to shield a resident from the elements as he fumbles for his keys

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Richie's wife verbally attacks Maeve, even stooping so low as to look her up and down and insult her appearance. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025

This raised garden bed stands waist high—at 33 inches, halfway between table height and counter height—ideal for gardening without bending or stooping. —Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025

Noun

The artificial coir mats are suitable for high-traffic areas, like your front stoop, and have a non-slip backing. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025

Imagine the ultimate fashion stoop sale, packed with hundreds of editorial-worthy vintage and archival pieces donated by Vogue friends and contributors, as well as items sourced from eBay. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English stoupen, from Old English stūpian; akin to Swedish stupa to fall, plunge, Old English stēap steep, deep

Noun (2)

Dutch stoep; akin to Old English stæpe step — more at step

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1755, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stoop

• descend/sink/stoop to someone's level
• stoop labor

Rhymes for stoop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop

Kids Definition

stoop

1 of 3 verb

ˈstüp 

1

a

: to bend down or over

b

: to stand or walk with the head and shoulders or the upper part of the body bent forward

2

: to degrade oneself

stoop to lying

stoop

2 of 3 noun

1

: an act of bending the body forward

2

: a forward bend of the back and shoulders that is temporary or by habit

stoop

3 of 3 noun

: a porch, platform, or entrance stairway at a house door

Etymology

Verb

Old English stūpian "to stoop, bend over"

Noun

from Dutch stoep "porch, stoop"