stoop

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stoop" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean "to bend or stoop over with the upper body." For example, "She stooped to pick up a fallen leaf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Next morning I decided to play the doctor with a stoop, the sea captain as a Welshman and leave the nobleman as he was.

The Guardian

"I've never seen anyone stoop to those levels," Stuart Couch, a former Marine lieutenant colonel and military commissions prosecutor, said of Zuley's interrogation of Slahi.

The Guardian

Detective Sergeant Neil Lawless said: "This is one of the most disgusting crimes I have ever investigated and I find it hard to believe someone could stoop so low to commit such a horrific offence.

The Guardian

He was not ruthless enough, or nasty enough, or willing enough to stoop to conquer.

The Guardian

For celebrities in the midst of a scandal, these platforms offer a means of making a point without seeming to stoop to engage with the outrage.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had the busted-knee stoop of an ex-rugby league player and the ruined face of someone who had fought in a war long, long ago.

The Guardian - Sport

He was tall but very thin and had a slight stoop.

The Guardian - Books

DEBATES about Israel tend to stir up unusual levels of ire and vitriol, driving otherwise smart people to make poor arguments and stoop to childish taunts.

The Economist

As the world's largest PC maker by volume and one of the industry's most efficient producers, Lenovo does not need to stoop to such money-grubbing antics.

The Economist

As we get up and walk to the front, through the window we see a group of Yemeni teenage boys wispy moustaches, gawky posturing, Yankees caps on the stoop leading from the restaurant to the street.

The Economist

But labelling that requires anyone over four feet (1.2 metres) tall to stoop, only for them to find the description of the artefact lost in the glare bouncing off the metal label, is not designed to encourage word-of-mouth recommendation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “stoop” to describe physical actions like bending your body, but consider using synonyms like “bend down” if the situation doesn’t involve any kind of moral depreciation.

Common error

Avoid using "stoop" for simple bending actions when no moral compromise is involved. For example, instead of "He stooped to pick up the pen" (implying unnecessary degradation), use "He bent down to pick up the pen."

Linguistic Context

The word "stoop" functions primarily as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it describes the action of bending the body downwards or lowering oneself morally. As a noun, it refers to a porch or doorstep. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

37%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stoop" is versatile, functioning as both a noun and a verb with distinct meanings. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly describes bending downwards, a moral compromise, or an architectural element. While generally neutral, its connotation can shift depending on context. The frequent use of "stoop" in News & Media highlights its relevance in discussions of ethical behavior, while its presence in Encyclopedias underscores its established definitions. Understanding the subtle nuances of "stoop", as highlighted by Ludwig AI, allows for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bend down

Focuses specifically on the physical action of bending.

bow down

Emphasizes respect or submission through bending.

lower oneself

Indicates reducing one's standards or dignity.

demean oneself

Highlights the act of lowering one's dignity.

humble oneself

Implies a voluntary act of making oneself lower in status or importance.

condescend

Implies a voluntary lowering of oneself to a less dignified level.

descend

Describes a downward movement, either physically or in rank.

porch

Refers specifically to the architectural structure at the entrance of a building.

veranda

Another architectural alternative, denoting a covered platform along the outside of a building.

doorstep

A more specific architectural term focusing on the step at the door.

FAQs

How can I use "stoop" in a sentence?

You can use "stoop" to describe bending your body downward, as in, "He "stooped to pick up the pen"". It can also mean lowering yourself morally, as in, "I can't believe he would "stoop so low"".

What is the difference between "stoop" and "bend"?

"Bend" generally refers to curving something, while "stoop" often means to "bend the body forward and downward". "Stoop" can also imply a lowering of one's moral standards, which "bend" does not.

What are some alternatives to "stoop" when referring to lowering one's dignity?

If you want to avoid the word stoop, you could use alternatives such as "demean oneself", "lower oneself", or "condescend".

Is it correct to use "stoop" when talking about an architectural feature?

Yes, "stoop" can refer to a "porch", staircase, or platform leading to the entrance of a house, especially in some regional dialects. For example, “They were sitting on the "stoop"”.