- (intransitive)
to bend low with the limbs pulled up close together, esp (of an animal) in readiness to pounce - (intransitive)
to cringe, as in humility or fear
the act of stooping or bending
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
crouch /kraʊtʃ/USA pronunciation
v. [no object]
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to stoop low with the knees bent:He crouched down and began to whisper in his little boy's ear.
- Animal Behaviorto bend close to the ground preparing to spring, as a cat does.
n. [countable]
- the act of crouching:The boxer went into a crouch.
crouch
(krouch),USA pronunciation v.i.
v.t.
n.
crouch′er, n.
crouch′ing•ly, adv.
- to stoop or bend low.
- Animal Behaviorto bend close to the ground, as an animal preparing to spring or shrinking with fear.
- to bow or stoop servilely;
cringe.
v.t.
- to bend low.
n.
- the act of crouching.
- Middle English crouchen, perh. blend of, blended couchen to lie down (see couch) and croken to crook1 1175–1225
crouch′ing•ly, adv.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'crouching position' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):