English Reference

Word

crouched

US/ˈkɹaʊtʃt/

UK/kɹˈaʊtʃt/

Definition

v. bent down with your back curved and your knees close to the ground. You do this to stay hidden or to get closer to something.

v. past tense and past participle of 'crouch'; describes a position where the body is bent forward with the knees drawn up and the back arched. Often used to describe a posture of concealment or readiness.

Examples

“The cat crouched in the tall grass to hide.”

“The hikers crouched behind a large rock to wait for the storm to pass before continuing their climb.”

“The sniper remained crouched in the dense foliage for hours, waiting for the perfect moment to take the shot without being seen by the patrolling guards.”

Examples

simple

“The cat crouched in the tall grass to hide.”

contextual

“The hikers crouched behind a large rock to wait for the storm to pass before continuing their climb.”

complex

“The sniper remained crouched in the dense foliage for hours, waiting for the perfect moment to take the shot without being seen by the patrolling guards.”

Real-World Examples

“Crouched over the teapot, Ramadan recalls last year’s famine, when aid points became death traps , and he and his brother risked everything to sprint for a bag of flour or sugar.”
The Guardian · 26 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/crouched

English Reference