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. intrusually foll byup to sit in a hunched position

Word History and Origins

Origin of hunch¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hunch¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

But Marler's hunch was on the money.

From BBC

“I just have a hunch that she ain’t winning enough of them,” Robinson said.

From Los Angeles Times

They have settled on another hunch in Bethell, who is clearly talented but so inexperienced and with no real body of work in professional cricket.

From BBC

"If you ask for my professional hunch, I think we have the murder weapon and we have the murderers," Mr Basu added.

From BBC

I was at the Emirates, and my hunch from seeing what happened is that he will not be fit for Sunday.

From BBC

Related Words

• inkling
• instinct
• intuition
• premonition