# den

/ˈdɛn/ (US) · /dˈɛn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/den
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. animal home

noun · CEFR B2

the hidden home of a wild animal, like a lion or a fox.

For teachers: the natural habitation or retreat of a wild animal, typically a cave or hollow used for shelter and concealment.

- The mother bear stayed inside the den with her cubs all winter.
- Field biologists discovered a wolf den concealed beneath the roots of a fallen cedar, containing evidence of recent activity.

### 2. cozy room

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. place of bad activity

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. scout group

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to live in a den

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: The verb is often used intransitively when describing animal behavior.

## Examples

- The bear spent the winter sleeping in its den.
- He spent the rainy afternoon in his den, surrounded by books and old records.
- Wildlife photographers spent weeks tracking the wolves to their den, hoping to capture footage of the cubs emerging for the first time.

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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.