How Do You Spell DEN?

Pronunciation: [dˈɛn] (IPA)

The word "den" is spelled with the letters D-E-N, and its IPA phonetic transcription is /dɛn/. This short and simple word is pronounced with a single syllable, stressed on the first sound, which is a voiced dental plosive /d/. The second sound is an open-mid front unrounded vowel /ɛ/, similar to the "e" in "red". The last sound is a voiced alveolar nasal /n/, produced by closing the velum and allowing air to resonate through the nasal cavity. The word "den" can refer to a wild animal's lair or a small private room in a house.

DEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Den is a noun that refers to a small, secluded, and often hidden space or dwelling that is typically used by animals as their shelter or retreat. It can also describe a place where individuals hide or gather in secrecy. A den can be natural, such as a hollow in a tree or a cave, or artificial, like a burrow dug by an animal or a specific room in a house.

    In the context of animals, a den serves as a protected area used for activities like nesting, sleeping, rearing offspring, or escaping from predators. Many animals, including bears, foxes, wolves, and rabbits, construct dens to ensure their safety and survival. These dens offer insulation from extreme weather conditions and aid in camouflage. Some species even use their dens to hibernate during the colder months, conserving energy until more favorable conditions prevail.

    However, the term den can also be applied to human activities. For instance, a den can refer to a room in a house specially designated for relaxation or entertainment purposes, often equipped with comfortable furniture, entertainment systems, or recreational amenities. Additionally, it can describe a secretive meeting place for individuals engaging in illegal or illicit activities, hiding from public view.

    Overall, a den represents a defined space of refuge, whether for animals seeking a sanctuary or individuals seeking a hideaway or recreational spot.

  2. A cave or hollow place in the earth; a cave; the lair of a wild beast; a place of concealment; a wretched dwelling-place.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEN

Etymology of DEN

The word "den" originates from the Old English word "denn", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "danna", meaning "a hollow". This term later evolved into "den" in Middle English, maintaining its original meaning of a secluded or hidden place.

Idioms with the word DEN

  • the lion's den The idiom "the lion's den" refers to a dangerous or challenging situation or place, often one where one has to face criticism, scrutiny, or opposition. It connotes an environment or situation that is threatening or hostile, much like a den where a lion resides.
  • the lions' den "The lions' den" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a dangerous or challenging situation where one is subjected to intense scrutiny, criticism, or confrontation. It typically describes a situation where someone faces a group or individuals who are hostile, aggressive, or powerful, like facing judgment or opposition from authoritative figures. This phrase is derived from the biblical story of Daniel who was thrown into a den of lions as a punishment for his beliefs, symbolizing a place of great peril or difficulty.
  • the lion’s den The idiom "the lion's den" refers to a dangerous or challenging situation, often implying a place or context where one may face hostility, criticism, or intense scrutiny. It is derived from the biblical story of Daniel, who was famously thrown into a den of hungry lions as punishment but miraculously survived. Thus, the phrase symbolizes a scenario where one is surrounded by formidable opponents or antagonistic forces.
  • beard the lion (in his/her den) The idiom "beard the lion (in his/her den)" typically means to confront or challenge a powerful or influential person on their own terms, especially in their own territory or domain. It refers to the act of directly facing a formidable opponent or taking a risk to confront someone in a situation where they have the upper hand.
  • den of iniquity The idiom "den of iniquity" refers to a place or establishment that is associated with immoral or unethical activities. It typically implies that the location is a hub for illicit actions or behaviors, such as gambling, drug use, prostitution, or other forms of wrongdoing.
  • beard the lion in his den The idiom "beard the lion in his den" means to confront or challenge a powerful or intimidating person or authority figure on their own territory or domain. It implies standing up to someone who is seen as a formidable force or risk, often at great personal courage or risk.
  • beard the lion in his den (or lair) The idiom "beard the lion in his den (or lair)" means to knowingly confront or challenge someone in their own territory or domain, despite the potential risks or dangers involved. It implies the act of standing up to a powerful or threatening individual or entity on their own turf, without fear or hesitation.
  • to beard the lion in his den The idiom "to beard the lion in his den" means to confront or challenge a powerful or authoritative person or entity in their own territory or domain. It implies taking a direct and bold action towards someone who may be intimidating or difficult to approach. The phrase originates from the image of bearding (confronting) a lion (a symbol of power and danger) in its own den (its natural habitat or stronghold).
  • beard sb in their den The idiom "beard someone in their den" means to confront or challenge someone in their own territory or domain, particularly when they feel comfortable or powerful in that setting. It refers to directly addressing an individual in a place where they are typically in control or comfortable, often in order to demand an explanation or assert dominance.
  • a den of iniquity The idiom "a den of iniquity" refers to a place, establishment, or location where immoral or wicked activities take place. It suggests that the place in question is known for being filled with sinful or unethical behavior.
  • walk into the lion's den The idiom "walk into the lion's den" refers to willingly putting oneself into a hazardous or challenging situation, often involving confrontation or facing a powerful adversary or dangerous circumstances.
  • beard (one) in (one's) den
  • a den of iˈniquity/ˈvice

Similar spelling words for DEN

Plural form of DEN is DENS

Conjugate verb Den

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be dening
you would be dening
he/she/it would be dening
we would be dening
they would be dening

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have denned
you would have denned
he/she/it would have denned
we would have denned
they would have denned
I would have den
you would have den
he/she/it would have den
we would have den
they would have den

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been dening
you would have been dening
he/she/it would have been dening
we would have been dening
they would have been dening

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been denning
you would have been denning
he/she/it would have been denning
we would have been denning
they would have been denning

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would den
you would den
he/she/it would den
we would den
they would den

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be denning
you would be denning
he/she/it would be denning
we would be denning
they would be denning

FUTURE

I will den
you will den
he/she/it will den
we will den
they will den

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be denning
you will be denning
he/she/it will be denning
we will be denning
they will be denning
I will be dening
you will be dening
he/she/it will be dening
we will be dening
they will be dening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have denned
you will have denned
he/she/it will have denned
we will have denned
they will have denned
I will have dened
you will have dened
he/she/it will have dened
we will have dened
they will have dened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been denning
you will have been denning
he/she/it will have been denning
we will have been denning
they will have been denning
I will have been dening
you will have been dening
he/she/it will have been dening
we will have been dening
they will have been dening

IMPERATIVE

you den
we let´s den

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to den

PAST

I dened
you dened
he/she/it dened
we dened
they dened

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was denning
you were denning
he/she/it was denning
we were denning
they were denning
I was dening
you were dening
he/she/it was dening
we were dening
they were dening

PAST PARTICIPLE

denned
dened

PAST PERFECT

I had denned
you had denned
he/she/it had denned
we had denned
they had denned
I had dened
you had dened
he/she/it had dened
we had dened
they had dened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been denning
you had been denning
he/she/it had been denning
we had been denning
they had been denning
I had been dening
you had been dening
he/she/it had been dening
we had been dening
they had been dening

PRESENT

I den
you den
he/she/it dens
we den
they den

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am denning
you are denning
he/she/it is denning
we are denning
they are denning
I am dening
you are dening
he/she/it is dening
we are dening
they are dening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

denning
dening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have denned
you have denned
he/she/it has denned
we have denned
they have denned
I have dened
you have dened
he/she/it has dened
we have dened
they have dened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been denning
you have been denning
he/she/it has been denning
we have been denning
they have been denning
I have been dening
you have been dening
he/she/it has been dening
we have been dening
they have been dening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it den

SIMPLE PAST

I denned
you denned
he/she/it denned
we denned
they denned

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