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

Guests can relax by the sunken pool, inspired by classic Texas swimming holes; an on-site spa is also available. —Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2025

But when a recipe specifically calls for something else, substituting another type may leave you with a sunken cake or flat biscuits. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025

Specialists concluded that the primary influence on the radiation situation in Stepovoy Bay likely stems from other sunken containers of solid waste rather than the submarine itself. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025

The study's authors speculate the site may lie at the origin of local Breton legends of sunken cities, according to BBC News. —CBS News, 12 Dec. 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