hideout

noun

hide·​out ˈhīd-ˌau̇t 

plural hideouts

: a place of refuge, retreat, or concealment

a criminal's secret hideout

Synonyms of hideout

• lair
• nest
• den
• hideaway

Examples of hideout in a Sentence

police found the stolen jewels under the floorboards in the thief's hideout, a cabin deep in the woods

Recent Examples on the Web

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, which repeatedly has said its military only targets Afghan posts and militant hideouts. —ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026

This is intentional, as the hotel—founded, owned, and fashioned by Robert De Niro—serves as a discreet hideout for stars passing through the city for film festival press junkets and industry negotiations. —Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026

Local legend has it that the outlaw Jesse James once used the caverns as a hideout, adding some infamous intrigue to the subterranean spectacle. —Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Frontiers are already porous here, crossed by smuggling routes, refugee trails and militant hideouts. —Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hideout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

hideout

noun

hide·​out ˈhī-ˌdau̇t 

: a secret place for hiding