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

The first image in Grier's carousel saw the family of four crouched down on the floor sharing a group hug together at the altar, while the second photo pictured the couple embracing cheek to cheek with their two kids hugging beneath them. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024

On set, when the moment of truth arrived, the director of photography, Jasper Wolf, crouched to capture Kidman lying on the floor, on her stomach, as Dickinson loomed over her. —Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Kolawole crouched to document the rocks, which showed the same stockwork pattern. —Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 7 Nov. 2024

Kim Kardashian Shares Emotional Post Reflecting on 'the Sad Part About Motherhood' Tagging Balenciaga, Kardashian crouched down in front of a gold Tesla Cybercab while wearing a pair of stockings featuring a suspender-style top, a pair of pointed black heels and a cropped black puffer jacket. —Clare Fisher, People.com, 4 Dec. 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