The word "sunken" is spelled with the letters S-U-N-K-E-N, but its pronunciation is a bit tricky. It is pronounced as /ˈsʌŋkən/, which means the "u" sound is pronounced as "uh" and the "e" sound is short. The word is often used to describe things that have sunk or gone underwater. For example, "the sunken ship was a popular diving spot for tourists." The spelling and pronunciation of this word can be challenging for non-native speakers, but with practice, it can be mastered.
The term "sunken" is an adjective used to describe something that has descended or sunk beneath a surface or is located at a lower level than its surroundings. It is often associated with objects or places that have submerged, typically under water or another fluid. Sunken refers to the process of sinking or the resultant state of being submerged.
In a literal sense, when an object such as a ship, treasure, or structure sinks below the surface of water, it is considered sunken. This can occur due to natural causes like erosion, floods, or intentional sinking for various reasons. In such cases, the sunken object is no longer visible from the surface but exists beneath it.
Figuratively, the term sunken can also be used to describe a state of solemnity, depression, or extreme sadness. This state is often highlighted through physical signs such as sunken eyes, cheeks, or a downcast appearance, which symbolize a person's emotional or mental turmoil.
In addition, sunken can sometimes refer to an area or region that has been significantly lowered relative to its surroundings, such as a sunken garden or a sunken plaza. These spaces are intentionally designed to have a depressed or recessed layout, creating an appealing aesthetic and providing a unique atmosphere for activities or relaxation.
Overall, the term "sunken" encompasses the idea of descent beneath a surface or the creation of a lower level when referring to objects, places, or emotions.
• Lying on the bottom of river or harbour, or other water.
• Lying on the bottom of a river or piece of water.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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.
The word "sunken" derives from the verb "sink", which dates back to Old English. In Old English, the word was "sincan", which means to "become submerged in water". The "sincan" verb originated from the Proto-Germanic word "sinkwanan", and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *senk(w)-, meaning "to sink" or "submerge". Over time, the past participle form "sunken" emerged and became commonly used as an adjective to describe something that has sunk or become submerged.