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

Photo : Charlie Young for Sotheby’s International Realty A sunken living room. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024

Also on this level are a laundry room and a sunken family room, once the home’s garage, where a wood-burning stove sits in one corner. —Angela Serratore, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

The sunken dining room’s elevated stage features live entertainment as performers float through the restaurant playing saxophone sets. —Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024

Gold Rush and Sunken Ships Experience San Francisco's origins as a trading village, as well as hidden remains of sunken ships and artifacts from the Gold Rush. —Shawna Chen, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sonkyn, past participle of sinken to sink

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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