WordGarden.ioshrink
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃrˈɪŋk/
US
- /ˈʃrɪŋk/
Meanings
Verb
to become smaller in size, amount, or extent
to make something smaller or less
to draw back in fear, disgust, or reluctance
Noun
an informal term for a psychiatrist or therapist
Beyond the definition
To shrink can mean to physically get smaller, like clothes in the dryer. But it also describes becoming timid or drawing back, as if afraid. A shy person might shrink from attention, while a wool sweater shrinks after an accidental tumble in hot water. You might even say a company's profits shrink when sales are down.
The word often gives the feeling of pulling inward, like a turtle retreating into its shell. Think of someone drawing their shoulders in to protect themselves. In stories, people are often described as shrinking from a hard challenge or an intimidating person, which captures that very human instinct to recoil or make oneself smaller when faced with something overwhelming.
The word "shrink" has a fascinating range of meanings, all connected to the idea of becoming smaller or withdrawing. Most literally, it means to become reduced in size, often due to heat, water, or age. Think about a favorite sweater that mysteriously becomes too small after a wash—it has shrunk.
But "shrink" isn't limited to physical objects. It can also describe the act of becoming timid or recoiling from something frightening or overwhelming. A shy child might shrink away from strangers, or someone facing criticism might shrink under the pressure. This sense of shrinking implies a loss of confidence and a desire to make oneself less visible or to avoid a confrontation.
As a verb, "to shrink" can also mean to decrease in quantity, value, or importance. For example, "The company's market share began to shrink as competitors emerged."
Interestingly, "shrink" also has a common informal use as a noun. In casual conversation, a "shrink" is a psychiatrist or therapist. This slang comes from the older term "headshrinker" or "head-shrinker," which was used humorously and somewhat irreverently. The noun sense is separate from the main verb meanings, but it is now widely understood in everyday English.
So, whether it's clothes getting smaller, people becoming timid, or quantities decreasing, "shrink" always suggests a reduction—in size, confidence, or scope.
Examples
- 1
Clothing
This cotton shirt may shrink if you wash it in hot water.
- 2
Plastic
Heat can shrink the plastic and make it bend.
- 3
River level
By August, the river usually shrinks to a thin, muddy stream.
- Patternshrink to + size/state
become as small as that size or state
- 4
Social change
The gap between rich and poor has shrunk in recent years.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Office space
The company is trying to shrink its office space now that more people work from home.
- 6
Courage
He didn't shrink from the challenge, even when everyone else was worried.
- Patternshrink from + difficult thing
avoid it because you feel afraid or unwilling
- 7
Stress
After months of stress, her world began to shrink until it was just work and sleep.
- 8
Informal noun
She finally decided to talk to a shrink after her panic attacks got worse.
- Usagea shrink
an informal word for a therapist or psychiatrist
See also
Forms and spellings
6 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- shrinknounverb
Forms
- shrinking-ing formverbnoun
- shrunkpast participleverbnoun
- shrinkspluralnounverb
- shrankpast tenseverbnoun
- shrunkenpast participleverbnoun