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

As my sunken heart leapt up, my limbs warmed with joy and relief. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

Lounge in the sunken living room, avocado velour. —Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026

An indoor water fountain is also an eye-catching feature, placed inside a sunken area of the restaurant that offers an elevated feel. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026

The Artemis 2 heat shield looks like a sunken treasure from the Titanic in an underwater shot following splashdown. —Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 28 Apr. 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