den

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a comfortable room in a house where you can relax, watch TV, or read.

n. a private, informal room in a residence used for relaxation, hobbies, or as a home office.

“He spent the rainy afternoon reading a book in the den.”

“The homeowners converted the small spare bedroom into a den, furnished with leather armchairs and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary

n. a place where people do things that are illegal or dishonest.

n. a place of vice or squalor, often used in the phrase 'den of iniquity' or 'den of thieves'.

“The old warehouse had become a den for local criminals.”

“The investigative report described the gambling hall as a den of corruption where local officials met in secret.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a small group of Cub Scouts who meet and work on projects together.

n. a small unit of Cub Scouts, typically consisting of children in the same grade level.

“My son's scout den is building birdhouses this weekend.”

“The den leader organized a hiking trip to help the scouts earn their first outdoor merit badges.”

C2 · Proficiency Science Technical

v. to live in or hide in a cave or hole, usually said of animals.

v. to live in or retreat to a den; often used in biological contexts regarding hibernation or nesting.

“Some animals den deep underground to survive the cold winter.”

“Polar bears typically den in snowdrifts along the coastal slopes to protect their offspring from the arctic winds.”