hunched
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having a rounded back and shoulders; not upright: Describes a posture where the upper back is curved forward, often due to age, habit, or physical condition, giving a bent-over appearance.
Usage
- The word "hunched" is primarily used to describe a person's physical posture. It often implies a temporary or habitual position, such as when sitting over a desk, or a more permanent physical state.
- It is commonly used with verbs like "be," "sit," "stand," or "walk."
Examples
- Adjective:
- The student sat hunched over his textbook all night.
- An old man walked by, hunched and leaning on a cane.
- She was hunched against the cold wind.
Advanced Usage
- "to be hunched over": This is a very common collocation emphasizing the action of bending forward over something.
- He was hunched over his computer, typing furiously.
- "to sit/stand hunched": Used to specify the posture while in a particular position.
- Try not to sit hunched for long periods; it's bad for your back.
Variants and Related Words
- Hunch (verb): To bend the top part of your body forward and raise your shoulders.
- He hunched his shoulders against the rain.
- Hunch (noun): An intuitive feeling or guess.
- I have a hunch she'll be late. (Note: This is a different, common meaning of the noun form, unrelated to posture.)
Synonyms
- Stooped: Bent forward and downward.
- Crouched: In a position with the knees bent and the upper body bent forward (can imply readiness to move, while "hunched" is more static).
- Curved: Having a bend that is not straight (more general).
Antonyms
- Erect: Upright in posture.
- Straight: Not bent or curved.
Related Phrases
- Hunched shoulders: A phrase describing the specific physical manifestation of this posture.
- Years of desk work gave him permanently hunched shoulders.
Adjective
- having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
- a little oldish misshapen stooping woman