hunch over

USAGE SUMMARY

"hunch over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone bending their upper body forward. For example, "He hunched over in the corner, trying to stay out of sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Ms. Penn does the hyenas in "The Lion King," for example, "I hunch over a lot," she said.

The New York Times

At assemblies he has been known to wrap his arms around himself and hunch over until almost in a fetal position.

The New Yorker

If you hunch over, you wind up pulling with your fingers and plucking the string.

Huffington Post

Many people tend to hunch over and hold on for dear life on the StairMaster.

Huffington Post

When you get caught up in what you're doing, you tend to hunch over without realizing it.

Huffington Post

Before, beachgoers had to hunch over and walk through a drainage pipe under the highway to reach the water.

Los Angeles Times

Don't hunch over as much.

WikiHow

Don't hunch over, or you'll look like you're cowering.

WikiHow

Try to sit and stand up straight and don't hunch over or collapse your stomach.

WikiHow

If you aren't crawling, then hunch over and put your hands out in front of you.

WikiHow

It may help to hunch over like you're in pain, or wince from time to time.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hunch over" to vividly describe a posture of bending forward, often associated with activities like reading, working at a computer, or trying to stay hidden.

Common error

Avoid using "hunch over" when a more specific posture like "stoop" or "crouch" is more appropriate. "Hunch over" specifically suggests a rounded back and shoulders.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hunch over" primarily functions as an intransitive verb phrase, describing an action performed by a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of bending the upper body forward and downward. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe postures related to working, reading, or trying to stay hidden.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

9%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hunch over" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of bending the upper body forward and downward. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often associated with activities like reading, working at a computer, or trying to stay hidden. This analysis, supported by a wide range of examples from sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post, indicates its broad acceptability and neutral register. While synonyms like "slouch" or "stoop" exist, "hunch over" provides a specific image of a rounded back and shoulders, making it a valuable tool for descriptive writing. It's important to use the term accurately and to avoid confusing it with other, more specific postures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bend over

A more general term for bending the body forward at the waist.

Lean over

Suggests inclining the body forward for a specific purpose, like examining something.

Stoop

Suggests bending forward and downward, often due to age or fatigue.

Bend down

Suggests bending your body in a downwards direction.

Slouch

Implies a relaxed or careless posture with a bent back.

Curve forward

Describes the action of bending with rounded form

Crouch

Indicates lowering the body by bending the knees and back.

Slump

Implies a sudden collapsing in posture.

Huddle

Implies drawing oneself together, often for warmth or protection.

Bow

Is a formal way to bend your body forward, more commonly used in ceremonial contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "hunch over" in a sentence?

You can use "hunch over" to describe the act of bending your upper body forward and down, often in a rounded or slouched posture. For example, "She would "hunch over" her desk for hours, working on the project".

What is a synonym for "hunch over"?

A synonym for "hunch over" could be "slouch", which also describes a posture where the back is rounded, and the shoulders are forward.

Is it correct to say "hunched over"?

Yes, "hunched over" is the past participle and past tense of "hunch over". It's commonly used to describe someone who was in a hunched position: "He was "hunched over", shivering in the cold".

What does it mean to "hunch over" something?

To "hunch over" something typically means to bend your body forward and downward towards it, often implying focus or secrecy: "The developers "hunch over" Macs around a big table".