sunken: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Literary, Descriptive, Technical (e.g., maritime, archaeology).
Quick answer
What does “sunken” mean?
Having sunk or dropped to a lower level, especially beneath water or the surrounding surface.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Having sunk or dropped to a lower level, especially beneath water or the surrounding surface.
Describing something physically lowered, depressed, or hollow; figuratively describing a state of decline, dejection, or being deeply set (e.g., eyes).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Both use 'sunken' as the standard adjective. The past participle 'sunk' is sometimes used adjectivally in informal/casual AmE (e.g., 'a sunk cost'), but 'sunken' remains correct for most attributive uses.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in formal writing; AmE shows marginally higher informal use of 'sunk' as an adjective.
Grammar
How to Use “sunken” in a Sentence
[sunken] + noun (attributive adjective)verb + [sunken] (predicative, less common)[sunken] + in + noun phrase (e.g., sunken in thought)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sunken” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The yacht had sunken slowly after the collision.
- (Rare as verb; 'sunk' is standard past participle)
American English
- The old pier had sunken into the mud over decades.
- (Archaic/rare; 'sunk' is standard)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial use.)
American English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- They discovered a sunken galleon off the Cornish coast.
- His face was gaunt with sunken cheeks.
American English
- The sunken living room created a cozy conversation area.
- After the fever, her eyes looked terribly sunken.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in 'sunk/sunken cost' (an irreversible investment).
Academic
Used in archaeology ('sunken settlement'), maritime history, geology.
Everyday
Describing physical appearance ('sunken eyes after illness') or home features ('sunken bath').
Technical
Maritime/nautical contexts ('sunken vessel'), architecture ('sunken floor slab').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunken”
- Using 'sunk' as an adjective before a noun in formal writing (e.g., 'a sunk ship'*). Confusing 'sunken' with 'sinking' (which is an ongoing process).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily an adjective. While 'sunken' exists as an archaic past participle of 'sink', the modern standard past participle is 'sunk'. 'Sunken' is almost exclusively used as an adjective.
'Sunk' is the standard past participle used in verb phrases (e.g., 'The ship has sunk'). 'Sunken' is the standard adjective used before nouns (e.g., 'a sunken ship'). In informal American English, 'sunk' is sometimes used adjectivally.
Not directly. It describes physical states. However, it can metaphorically describe features associated with feelings (e.g., 'sunken eyes from sorrow') or states ('sunken spirits' is poetic/archaic).
Yes, in gardening and landscape architecture. It describes a garden set below the main level of the surrounding ground, often for wind protection or aesthetic effect.
Having sunk or dropped to a lower level, especially beneath water or the surrounding surface.
Sunken is usually formal, literary, descriptive, technical (e.g., maritime, archaeology). in register.
Sunken: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌŋkən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌŋkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sunken costs (variant of 'sunk costs')”
- “sunken treasure”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SUN having KEN (knowledge) that it has set below the horizon – it is SUNKEN.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPRESSION IS DOWN / LOSS IS SINKING / PAST IS BURIED (e.g., sunken memories).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sunken' used INCORRECTLY?