Meaning of shrink in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ʃrɪŋk/

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1. Verb

   shrink

   Etymology

   Old English scrincan, of Germanic origin; related to Swedish skrynka‘to wrinkle’

   Definitions

   1. wither, especially with a loss of moisture

   Examples

   • « The fruit dried and shriveled »
2. 2. draw back, as with fear or pain

   Examples

   • « she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf »
3. 3. reduce in size

   Examples

   • « reduce physically »
   • « Hot water will shrink the sweater »
   • « Can you shrink this image? »
4. 4. become smaller or draw together

   Examples

   • « The fabric shrank »
   • « The balloon shrank »

   Antonyms

   • expand
   • spread out
   • stretch
5. 5. decrease in size, range, or extent

   Examples

   • « His earnings shrank »
   • « My courage shrivelled when I saw the task before me »

6. Noun

   shrink

   Definitions

   1. a physician who specializes in psychiatry