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Meaning of shrink in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions
  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 »

    Derived terms

    • flinch
    • wince
  3. 3. reduce in size

    Examples

    • « reduce physically »
    • « Hot water will shrink the sweater »
    • « Can you shrink this image? »

    Derived terms

    • decrease
    • diminution
    • reduction
    • shrinkage
    • shrinking
    • step-down
  4. 4. become smaller or draw together

    Examples

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

    Antonyms

    • expand
    • spread out
    • stretch

    Derived terms

    • contraction
    • shrinkage
    • shrinking
  5. 5. decrease in size, range, or extent

    Examples

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

    Derived terms

    • shrinking
  6. Noun

    shrink

    Definitions

    1. a physician who specializes in psychiatry

Famous quotes

  • « Higher taxes is the road to ruin. We must and we will shrink our government, and that means making some tough choices, tightening our belts. »
    Chris Christie
  • « I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death. »
    Leonardo da Vinci
  • « A thing is mighty big when time and distance cannot shrink it. »
    Zora Neale Hurston
  • « I have a Christian worldview and so it shapes the way that I view issues. I don't apologize for that, and I don't think people of faith ought to shrink away from being in the public arena. »
    John Thune
  • « 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. »
    Thomas Paine

Browse dictionary

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