Stoop: meaning, definitions and examples

Stoop is commonly used in American English to describe the small staircase leading to the entrance of a house, especially in urban settings. It often implies a place where people can sit and relax.

• He was sitting on the stoop, enjoying the warm evening breeze.
• We gathered on the stoop to chat with neighbors.

Porch is a covered shelter projecting in front of the entrance of a building. It's often used in suburban or rural contexts, suggesting a space for relaxation.

• We enjoyed our morning coffee on the porch.
• She decorated the porch with flowers and lights.

Steps refer to a series of flat horizontal surfaces (stairs) used for walking up or down to another level. It is a neutral term that can be used in various settings.

• The house has a series of steps leading up to the front door.
• Mind the steps while you're carrying those boxes.

Entrance is a more general term and is used to describe the point where you enter a building or room. It is neutral and formal, without any specific connotations.

• Please use the main entrance to access the building.
• The grand entrance to the hotel was beautifully decorated.

Typically used to describe the act of bending one's body forward and down, often in a way that shows effort or strain, and can have a slightly negative connotation if it implies poor posture or subservience.

• He had to stoop to pick up the heavy box
• Years of office work caused him to stoop over his desk

A general term for the act of curving or angling part of the body, usually without any negative connotation. It can be used in many contexts, such as physical activity, sports, or daily tasks.

• She bent down to tie her shoelaces
• The gymnast gracefully bent her body into a backbend

Describes bending the upper part of the body forward and rounding the shoulders, often in response to discomfort or tension. It carries a slightly negative connotation related to poor posture or anxiety.

• She hunched over her laptop for hours, working on the report
• Cold weather often causes people to hunch their shoulders to stay warm

Refers to lowering the body close to the ground by bending the knees, often in a position of readiness or to avoid being seen. It can imply a sense of alertness or caution.

• The cat crouched in the grass, ready to pounce on its prey
• He had to crouch behind the wall to avoid being seen