hunch

[huhnch]

verb (used with object)

1. to thrust out or up in a hump; arch.

   to hunch one's back.

2. to shove, push, or jostle.

verb (used without object)

1. to thrust oneself forward jerkily; lunge forward.

2. to stand, sit, or walk in a bent posture.

noun

1. a premonition or suspicion; guess.

   I have a hunch he'll run for reelection.

   Synonyms: conjecture, theory, feeling, surmise

2. a hump.

3. a push or shove.

4. a lump or thick piece.

hunch

/ hʌntʃ /

noun

1. an intuitive guess or feeling

2. another word for hump

3. a lump or large piece

verb

1. to bend or draw (oneself or a part of the body) up or together

2. to sit in a hunched position

Word History and Origins

Origin of hunch¹

1590–1600; 1900–05 hunch for def. 5; apparently variant of obsolete hinch to push, shove, kick < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of hunch¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The stereotype of today’s teenagers as anxious loners hunched over their phones is limiting and inaccurate, she said, as four fellow volunteers nodded in agreement.

From Los Angeles Times

Before the game, he marched through the clubhouse and hunched over his locker, leafing through a scouting report while teammates carefully tip-toed around him.

From Los Angeles Times

The Atlanta Falcons were the first to detect that hunch, scooping Landman out of Colorado as an undrafted rookie.

From Los Angeles Times

His only involvement for the rest of the day was marshalling his team in the field, often hunched over with hands on knees.

From BBC

"They beat us until we bled. We were hit as we were dragged off the plane, made to walk hunched over, tied up with up to five shackles."

From BBC

Related Words

• inkling 
• instinct 
• intuition 
• premonition