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
• 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

Deputies responded to reports of a sunken vehicle near Krome Avenue and U.S. Highway 27 around 9 p.m. on Wednesday and found the 27-year-old’s 2007 Chevy Tahoe underwater, the Broward Sheriff’s Office told the Miami Herald. —Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025

Since being relocated to its current spot the Morris-Flanagan-Kincaid House has deteriorated structurally, with sunken floors, joint collapse and unstable walls, according to the city. —John Tuohy, IndyStar, 23 July 2025

Particularly the sunken living room, which has intriguing stone accents (real? —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 22 July 2025

The en suite is arguably more luxurious, with a sunken tub in the corner providing yet more vistas and a second fireplace adding a cozy feel. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 July 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