Word
hunchback
Phoneticshunch·back, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhəntʃˌbæk/
UK/hˈʌntʃbæk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who has a very curved back. This word is often used in stories to describe someone who looks different from others, but it can be seen as rude or unkind in real life.
n. a person with a pronounced curvature of the spine, typically resulting in a hunched posture. Often carries a derogatory or literary connotation, especially when used to describe fictional characters.
Examples
“The old man was known in the village as the hunchback.”
“In many classic fairy tales, the hunchback is portrayed as a misunderstood figure living on the outskirts of the village.”
“The author's use of the hunchback as a central character serves to highlight the social isolation and physical prejudice faced by those who deviate from the community's aesthetic standards.”
Examples
simple
“The old man was known in the village as the hunchback.”
contextual
“In many classic fairy tales, the hunchback is portrayed as a misunderstood figure living on the outskirts of the village.”
complex
“The author's use of the hunchback as a central character serves to highlight the social isolation and physical prejudice faced by those who deviate from the community's aesthetic standards.”
Real-World Examples
“He spent his short life - born in 1798, he died in 1837 - reading and writing, acquiring short-sightedness and a hunchback from spending so much time in his father's library.” “Three grey herons loitered along the fence line, hunchbacked and watchful.” Etymology
Back-formation from hunchbacked.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/hunchback