Hunch: meaning, definitions and examples

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hunch

[hʌn(t)ʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

A feeling or guess based on intuition rather than known facts.

Synonyms

instinct, intuition, suspicion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hunch	Used when describing a strong feeling you have about something, without having facts to support it. Informal and often used in everyday conversation. I have a hunch that it will rain today. She had a hunch that something was not right.
intuition	Refers to the ability to understand or know something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. Used in both professional and casual settings. Her intuition led her to make the right decision. He trusted his intuition when choosing a new job.
instinct	Often used to describe a natural or inherent impulse, especially one that comes from deeply ingrained behavior or reactions, often related to survival. His motherly instinct told him that something was wrong with the child. Animals rely heavily on instinct for survival.
suspicion	Used when you believe that something may be true, especially something bad, without certain proof. It often carries a negative connotation. The police had a suspicion that he was involved in the crime. She looked at him with suspicion, unsure if he was telling the truth.

Examples of usage

I had a hunch that she would be there.
His hunch turned out to be correct.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

physical

A rounded mass or lump of something, typically an animal's back.

Synonyms

bump, lump, protuberance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hunch	Used to describe a physical movement where someone arches their back or shoulders. He had to hunch over the desk to fit under the low ceiling. She hunched her shoulders against the cold wind.
lump	Used when talking about a small mass or collection of something, often irregular or shaped awkwardly. I found a lump in my throat when I tried to speak. The dough had several lumps that needed to be smoothed out.
bump	Used when referring to a small raised area on a surface, often caused by a blow or injury. He had a bump on his head after falling. Watch out for that bump on the road; it can damage your car.
protuberance	Used in more formal or scientific contexts to describe something that sticks out from a surface. The protuberance on that tree trunk makes it easy to identify. Doctors examined the protuberance to determine if it was harmful.

Examples of usage

The cat arched its back, forming a hunch.
He carried a heavy hunch of meat on his shoulder.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

bend

To raise or bend one's back into a hump.

Synonyms

arch, curve, hump.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hunch	This word is typically used to describe a sudden feeling or instinct about something, often without any concrete evidence. It can also refer to bending one's back forward. I have a hunch that it will rain tomorrow. He walked with a hunch, his shoulders rounded and back bent.
hump	Typically used to describe a raised, rounded shape on a surface, such as the back of an animal or a bump on a road. This word can have a negative connotation if used to describe a person's posture. The camel's hump is used to store fat. There is a speed hump ahead, slow down.
arch	Use this word when referring to a curved structure, often in architecture, or to describe something that forms a shape similar to an arch. The arch of the bridge was beautifully designed. She arched her eyebrows in surprise.
curve	This word is best for describing any line or surface that smoothly bends from a straight path, often used in mathematics, road descriptions, and physical forms. The road curves sharply to the left. The graph shows a steep curve upwards.

Examples of usage

He hunched his shoulders against the cold wind.
She hunched over her desk, deep in thought.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'hunch' comes from the Old English word 'hence', which means to bend or to curl.
In the 19th century, 'hunch' began to be used to refer to a feeling or suspicion, showing how our thoughts can 'bend' toward conclusions.
It's related to the term 'hunchback', describing a person whose back is bent, illustrating the idea of being 'bent' towards a thought.

Psychology

Research shows that our intuition is often based on past experiences, influencing our hunches and decisions.
Feeling a hunch can activate the brain's emotional centers, signaling quick decision-making without detailed analysis.
A hunch is often described as a form of 'implicit knowledge' where our brain processes information we aren’t consciously aware of.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'I have a hunch' is often used in detective movies, giving the impression that the detective is solving a mystery just from feeling.
In comic books, some superheroes rely on their hunches to make split-second decisions that save the day.
Lists of famous detectives often highlight their reliance on gut feelings, reinforcing the idea of hunches in storytelling.

Science

Studies indicate that people who rely on their gut feelings can often make decisions just as accurate as those based on logic.
Researchers have found that even animals can exhibit 'hunches' when they sense danger or opportunities based on instinct.
The brain processes thousands of bits of information every second, contributing to those sudden feelings we call hunches.

Literature

Many literary characters have prominent hunches that lead them on adventures, such as Sherlock Holmes, who often relies on his intuition.
In poetry, hunches often symbolize deeper insights or truths hidden beneath the surface of ordinary life.
Fictional narratives frequently depict hunches as a bridge between reality and imagination, pushing characters toward pivotal choices.

Translations

Translations of the word "hunch" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pressentimento

🇮🇳 आभास

🇩🇪 Ahnung

🇮🇩 firasat

🇺🇦 передчуття

🇵🇱 przeczucie

🇯🇵 予感 (yokan)

🇫🇷 pressentiment

🇪🇸 corazonada

🇹🇷 önsezi

🇰🇷 예감 (yegam)

🇸🇦 شعور مسبق

🇨🇿 tušení

🇸🇰 tušenie

🇨🇳 预感 (yùgǎn)

🇸🇮 slutnja

🇮🇸 hugboð

🇰🇿 алдын ала сезу

🇬🇪 წინათგრძნობა

🇦🇿 öncəgörmə

🇲🇽 corazonada

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,143, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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21140 secularism
21141 flamboyant
21142 apprenticed
21143 hunch
21144 sacrum
21145 paddock
21146 noose
...