# crouched

/ˈkɹaʊtʃt/ (US) · /kɹˈaʊtʃt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crouched
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.