sunken

/ˈsʌŋkən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsʌŋkən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsəŋ-kən/ (ame, mw)

sunken — adjective

  • sunkenpositive
  • more sunkencomparative
  • most sunkensuperlative

1. describes something that has gone beneath the surface of a sea, lake, or river a

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes something that has gone beneath the surface of a sea, lake, or river and now rests at the bottom

例句

The divers found the wreck of a sunken ship off the coast of Spain.

sunken + ship (typical collocation)

After the storm, a sunken fishing boat was spotted by a passing helicopter.

同義詞
  • submerged

    focuses on being fully covered by water, often intentionally or temporarily rather than wrecked

  • underwater

    neutral positional term; can describe anything located below the water's surface without the sense of having fallen

  • wrecked

    emphasises damage or destruction rather than the position at the bottom

反義詞
  • afloat

    floating on the water's surface

文法句型

sunken + noun

be + sunken

用法筆記

Most frequent with nouns describing vessels and cargo — ship, boat, submarine, treasure, wreck. The word emphasises the final position at the bottom rather than the process of going under.

常見錯誤

❌The boat sunken near the island.
✅The boat sank near the island.
💡'Sunken' is an adjective; use 'sank' (past tense) or 'sunk' (past participle) as the verb form.
❌A sunken submarine patrols the Arctic waters.
✅A submerged submarine patrols the Arctic waters.
💡'Sunken' means the vessel rests at the bottom; a working submarine is 'submerged.'

2. built or placed at a depth that is below the surrounding ground or floor level

2.形容詞B2
釋義

built or placed at a depth that is below the surrounding ground or floor level

例句

The hotel has a beautiful sunken garden with roses and a small fountain.

sunken + garden (common collocation)

Minho's apartment features a sunken living room three steps below the kitchen.

sunken + living room

同義詞
  • recessed

    more general; describes anything set back or indented, not only architectural spaces

  • lowered

    focuses on the act of being put at a lower level rather than the built-in design

  • depressed

    technical or formal; common in geology but less natural for rooms or gardens

反義詞
  • raised

    built above the surrounding surface

文法句型

sunken + noun (architectural feature)

be + sunken

用法筆記

Frequently modifies architectural terms (garden, room, bath, fireplace, entrance) where the floor or ground is deliberately placed lower than the surrounding surface. Not applied to natural depressions like valleys or ditches.

常見錯誤

❌We walked through a sunken valley between two hills.
✅We walked through a valley between two hills.
💡'Sunken' is for man-made or designed spaces at a lower level, not for natural landscape features.

3. appearing pressed deeper into the face than usual, often from being very tired,

3.形容詞B2
釋義

appearing pressed deeper into the face than usual, often from being very tired, sick, or older

例句

After three nights without sleep, Mira's eyes were sunken and dark.

sunken eyes (due to tiredness)

The old man's sunken cheeks gave his face a hollow, tired expression.

同義詞
  • hollow

    similar meaning but broader in usage; can describe any inward curve, not just the face

  • deep-set

    specifically for eyes that are naturally placed far back in the skull, not due to tiredness or illness

  • gaunt

    describes a thin, bony face with sunken cheeks, often from hunger or suffering

反義詞
  • full

    describes cheeks or a face with healthy roundness

  • puffy

    swollen rather than hollow

文法句型

sunken + eyes / cheeks

be + sunken

用法筆記

Restricted to describing eyes, cheeks, or the face as a whole. Does not apply to other hollow features on the body such as dimples or scars, nor to inanimate objects with indentations.

常見錯誤

❌He had sunken dimples when he smiled.
✅He had deep dimples when he smiled.
💡'Sunken' is used for unhealthy or tired hollows, not for normal facial features.