Den

/ˈdɛn/ · noun

Meaning

A small cavern or hollow place in the side of a hill, or among rocks; especially, a cave used by a wild animal for shelter or concealment..

Definitions by Sense

1. A small cavern or hollow place in the side of a hill, or among rocks; especially, a cave used by a wild animal for shelter or concealment.
2. A squalid or wretched place; a haunt.
3. A comfortable room not used for formal entertaining.
4. Synonym of fort (“structure improvised from furniture, etc. for playing games.”).
5. (UK, Scotland, obsolete) A narrow glen; a ravine; a dell.
6. A group of Cub Scouts of the same age who work on projects together.
7. (reflexive) To ensconce or hide oneself in (or as in) a den.
8. (intransitive, zoology) Of an animal, to use as a den; to take up residence in.

Example Sentences

a den of robbers

Daniel was put into the lions’ den.

a den of vice

an opium den; a gambling den

Lying in a den in Bombay With a slack jaw and not much to say

Near-synonyms: family room, sunroom, Florida room, Arizona room, rec room, playroom

Our little girls love using bedsheets and other stuff around the house to make dens in the living room and pretending they're on adventures.

I have made several visits of late to the Den of Rubislaw

Synonyms for den

Antonyms for den

Related Words

Word Forms

• dens
• denning
• denned

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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