sunken

adjective

sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən 

1

: submerged

especially : lying at the bottom of a body of water

2

a

: hollow, recessed

sunken cheeks

b

: lying in a depression

a sunken garden

c

: settled below the normal level

d

: constructed below the normal floor level

a sunken living room

Synonyms

• concave
• dented
• depressed
• dished
• hollow
• indented
• recessed

Examples of sunken in a Sentence

Her eyes were sunken and lifeless.

our convalescing guest's sunken cheeks soon filled out on a diet of my mother's cooking

Recent Examples on the Web

Photo : Nils Timm The pool is flanked by a sunken living room with a fire pit. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025

During an era of silent movies and wartime U-boats, Hartman’s ambitious invention—a 1,500-pound electric, submarine camera—could be lowered to a depth of 1,000 feet to capture images of sunken ships and submerged treasures. —Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2025

Authorities said the man was suffering from hypothermia and was transported to a hospital, but crews were unable to access his sunken car. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 14 Feb. 2025

One modern home in London highlights a playful approach to design with a range of influences from style icons like Frank Sinatra and the French architect and furniture designer Charlotte Perriand, in addition to a retractable skylight, a sunken kitchen, and a hidden primary suite. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sonkyn, past participle of sinken to sink

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sunken

• drunken
• shrunken

Kids Definition

sunken

adjective

sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən 

1

: being submerged

especially : lying at the bottom of a body of water

sunken ships

2

: fallen in : hollow

sunken cheeks

3

a

: lying in a depression

a sunken garden

b

: constructed below the normal floor level

a sunken living room