haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch 

ˈhänch

1

a

: hip entry 1 sense 1a

b

: hindquarter sense 2

—usually used in plural

2

: hindquarter sense 1

3

: either side of an arch between the springing and the crown

Phrases

on one's haunches

: in a squatting position

Synonyms

• backside
• behind
• booty [slang]
• bootie
• bottom
• breech
• bum
• buns
• butt
• buttocks
• caboose
• can
• cheeks
• derriere
• derrière
• duff
• fanny
• fundament
• hams
• heinie [slang]
• hunkers
• keister [slang]
• keester
• nates
• posterior
• rear
• rear end
• rump
• seat
• tail
• tail end
• tush [slang]

Examples of haunch in a Sentence

squatted down on her haunches to get a better shot of the ducks with her camera

Recent Examples on the Web

The dog, unable to climb after the varmint, stood on his haunches with his front paws resting on the tree and howled loudly. —Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025

The human tongue, the powerful buckteeth that never stopped growing, the giant muscular haunches and posterior, and these dark-colored paws, partly webbed because the capybara is a semiaquatic creature. —Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

The cat went berserk, grabbing with its front claws and raking with its rear, in the way all felines use their haunches to eviscerate prey. —Malcolm Brooks Malcolm Hillgartner Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Cash remained on his haunches and Konsa keeled over, rearranging his socks. —Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English haunche, from Anglo-French hanche, haunche, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch hanke haunch

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

haunch

noun

ˈhȯnch 

ˈhänch

1

a

: hip entry 2

b

: hindquarter sense 2

—usually used in plural

2

: hindquarter sense 1