Home / Dictionary / Den

Den Very Common

Den has 10 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

the habitation of wild animals

"The raccoons made a cozy den under the old oak tree where they slept safely during winter."

2

a hiding place; usually a remote place used by outlaws

"The bandits retreated to an abandoned cave in the mountains, which served as their secret den where they planned their next robbery."

3

a unit of 8 to 10 cub scouts

"The troop leader assigned each new recruit to an existing den before the summer camp activities began."

den
4

a room that is comfortable and secluded

"After a long week at work, she retreated to her cozy den by the fireplace to read quietly."

den
5

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.

"The fabric label specified a thread count of 70 den to ensure a lightweight, sheer texture for the summer blouse."

6

Abbreviation of denier (a unit of weight)

In plain English: A den is a cozy, private place where someone spends time alone or with friends.

"The cat curled up in her soft den by the fireplace to sleep."

Usage: A den refers to a small room or compartment within a house, often used as an animal's sleeping area or a private retreat. It is not the abbreviation for denier, which is a unit of measurement for fiber thickness or fabric weight.

Verb
1

To ensconce or hide oneself in (or as in) a den.

"After work, he retreated to his study to den himself away from all social obligations for the rest of the evening."

In plain English: To den is to hide away in a secret place, usually to avoid being seen or caught.

"The old cat began to den in the dusty corner of the attic."

Usage: As a verb, to den means to hide or shelter oneself in a secluded place. Use this term when describing someone retreating into a safe, private spot for rest or concealment.

Adverb
1

Pronunciation spelling of then, representing AAVE, Bermuda English.

"When I ask my friends if they want to grab food later, they usually just reply with den."

In plain English: To den means to hide or stay somewhere secret and safe, usually inside a small space.

"The cat hid in the den during the storm."

Usage: Use "den" as a pronunciation spelling of "then," primarily found in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and Bermudian English. It signifies a point in time following another event or circumstance.

Proper Noun
1

A diminutive of the male given name Dennis.

"The flight from DEN to LAX was delayed due to a snowstorm."

2

Abbreviation of Denver.

Example Sentences
"The cat hid in the den during the storm." adv
"The cat curled up in her soft den by the fireplace to sleep." noun
"The old cat began to den in the dusty corner of the attic." verb
Broader Terms (hypernyms)

Origin

The word "den" comes from Old English denn, which originally meant a cave or lair for an animal. It traveled into modern usage while retaining this core meaning of a sheltered resting place.

Compare
Den vs