cower

UK: /ˈkaʊə^r/ US: /ˈkaʊɚ/ ,(kou′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cow•er /ˈkaʊɚ/   v. [no object]

1. to pull back and away from, as in fear;
   cringe:
   The children cowered before the storm.

cow•er•ing•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cow•er  (kou′ər), v.i. 

1. to crouch, as in fear or shame.

• 1250–1300; Middle English couren; cognate with Norwegian, Swedish kūra, Middle Low German kūren, German kauern

cow′er•ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

cringe, recoil, flinch, quail.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cower / ˈkaʊə/ verb

1. (intransitive) to crouch or cringe, as in fear

Etymology: 13th Century: from Middle Low German kūren to lie in wait; related to Swedish kura to lie in wait, Danish kure to squat