sunken

adjective

sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən 

1

: submerged

especially : lying at the bottom of a body of water

2

a

: hollow, recessed

sunken cheeks

b

: lying in a depression

a sunken garden

c

: settled below the normal level

d

: constructed below the normal floor level

a sunken living room

Synonyms

• concave
• dented
• depressed
• dished
• hollow
• indented
• recessed

Examples of sunken in a Sentence

Her eyes were sunken and lifeless.

our convalescing guest's sunken cheeks soon filled out on a diet of my mother's cooking

Recent Examples on the Web

One modern home in London highlights a playful approach to design with a range of influences from style icons like Frank Sinatra and the French architect and furniture designer Charlotte Perriand, in addition to a retractable skylight, a sunken kitchen, and a hidden primary suite. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025

Another highlight is the BBQ terrace with a sunken dining room. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

Email Address Email Powered by Salesforce Marketing Cloud (Privacy Notice / Terms & Conditions) Sean Kingsley | | READ MORE Sean Kingsley is a marine archaeologist, explorer, historian and writer specializing in the sunken past. —Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025

From the depths of Watauga Lake to the sunken trees of Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee is home to dozens of beautiful, unique lakes. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sonkyn, past participle of sinken to sink

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sunken

• drunken
• shrunken

Kids Definition

sunken

adjective

sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən 

1

: being submerged

especially : lying at the bottom of a body of water

sunken ships

2

: fallen in : hollow

sunken cheeks

3

a

: lying in a depression

a sunken garden

b

: constructed below the normal floor level

a sunken living room