English Reference

Word

perched

US/ˈpɝtʃt/

UK/pˈɜːtʃt/

Definition

adj. sitting or resting on something high or narrow, like a bird on a branch.

adj. situated or resting on an elevated or precarious position. Often used predicatively after a linking verb or as a participial adjective modifying a noun.

Examples

“The small cottage is perched on the edge of the cliff.”

“From our balcony, we could see a hawk perched on the highest branch of the old oak tree.”

“The medieval village, perched precariously atop a limestone ridge, offers a panoramic view of the valley below while remaining shielded from the winds by the surrounding peaks.”

Examples

simple

“The small cottage is perched on the edge of the cliff.”

contextual

“From our balcony, we could see a hawk perched on the highest branch of the old oak tree.”

complex

“The medieval village, perched precariously atop a limestone ridge, offers a panoramic view of the valley below while remaining shielded from the winds by the surrounding peaks.”

Usage

Often followed by the prepositions 'on', 'atop', or 'upon'.

Real-World Examples

“The image shows most of the houses perched on this slope are now gone or covered in mud.”
BBC News · 28 Aug 2026
“Not that the 2,000 travelling fans perched high in the Leazes End were complaining.”
The Guardian · 26 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/perched

English Reference