Definition of "den" in English

noun

1. A small cavern or hollow place in the side of a hill, or among rocks; especially, a cave used by a wild animal for shelter or concealment.

   • a den of robbers
   • Daniel was put into the lions’ den.

2. A squalid or wretched place; a haunt.

   • a den of vice
   • an opium den; a gambling den

3. A comfortable room not used for formal entertaining.

4. Synonym of fort (“structure improvised from furniture, etc. for playing games.”).

   • Our little girls love using bedsheets and other stuff around the house to make dens in the living room and pretending they're on adventures.

5. (UK, Scotland, obsolete) A narrow glen; a ravine; a dell.

6. A group of Cub Scouts of the same age who work on projects together.

verb

1. (reflexive) To ensconce or hide oneself in (or as in) a den.

2. (intransitive, zoology) Of an animal, to use as a den; to take up residence in.

noun

1. Abbreviation of denier (a unit of weight).

noun

1. (Northumbria, chiefly in place names) Alternative form of dene.

adverb

1. Pronunciation spelling of then, representing AAVE, Bermuda English.