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 of sunken

• concave
• hollow
• depressed

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

When asked whether sunken munitions are a growing problem, Diggs was crystal clear about the potential risk in the future. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026

Oversize windows throughout the two-bedroom have water views, and the primary bath has a sunken tub and sauna. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 23 Mar. 2026

Standing out is a spacious sunken living room anchored by a stove-style fireplace. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026

The underwater egg hunt will include floating and sunken eggs in the shallow end of the pool for participants in their age groups to collect and then turn in for prizes. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

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