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

If Johnson’s hunch is right, Grand Slam Track might prove to be the way athletes and promoters begin bringing that money — and the fans — back.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Her daughter was breathing heavily, hunched over in pain, pale in the face.

From Salon

She searched for work, but said nobody wanted to hire an older woman who had limited use of her left shoulder after so many years of sitting hunched over sewing machines.

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

Related Words

• inkling
• instinct
• intuition
• premonition