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

The sunken living room bridges the rebuilt 1930s house and its new addition. — Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2026

Originally planned with welcoming guests and family as a high priority, the finished, 1,763-square-foot lower level adds a five-stool wet bar, a games area, a sunken home theater and extra storage opportunities. — Richard Lane, Des Moines Register, 7 Sep. 2026

The red brick building features a sunken outdoor patio off Camino Del Mar with a row of bright yellow umbrellas matching the yellow in the vintage-style pole sign on the street. — Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

The main lounge has a sunken living room seating area, dining tables, and a bar serving coffee and cocktails. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 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