verb
hunker
HUHNG-kuh
verb
1
To crouch or squat down close to the ground.
"They hunkered down behind the wall to avoid the wind."
2
(usually "hunker down") To settle in and commit to a task or wait something out.
"We hunkered down with snacks and blankets to ride out the storm."
How to Use Hunker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo crouch low, or to settle in and prepare to wait something out or focus hard on a task.
Common pairings
hunker down
hunker down for the storm
Word Forms
hunkered past tense, hunkers plural, Hunkers plural, hunkers singular
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Etymology
Originally Scottish, of uncertain but likely Germanic origin, related to Old Norse huka, "to crouch."