shrink
Shrink (verb) means to become or make smaller. Example: “The wool sweater shrank in the wash.”
How to use shrink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get smaller, to flinch away from something, or, informally, a therapist.
"Shrink" for a therapist is casual slang, not appropriate in formal or clinical writing.
Word forms
shrank past tense, shrunk past tense, shrunken past tense, shrinks plural, shrinks singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's been seeing a _____ twice a week since the accident.
Etymology
From Old English scrincan ("to shrink, wither"); the "psychiatrist" sense is a shortening of "headshrinker."
Related words
Rhymes for shrink
See all rhymes for shrink →Frequently asked questions
What does “shrink” mean?
The word “shrink” means to become or make smaller. In plain terms, to get smaller, to flinch away from something, or, informally, a therapist.
How do you pronounce “shrink”?
“Shrink” is pronounced SHRIHNGK (/ˈʃɹɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “shrink” in a sentence?
Here is “shrink” used in a sentence: “He's been seeing a shrink twice a week since the accident.”
What is the opposite of “shrink”?
The opposite of “shrink” — its antonyms — are expand, grow, enlarge and stretch.
What part of speech is “shrink”?
Depending on how it is used, “shrink” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “shrink” come from?
The word “shrink” comes from Old English. From Old English scrincan ("to shrink, wither"); the "psychiatrist" sense is a shortening of "headshrinker.".
Is “shrink” a common word?
“Shrink” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “shrink” have?
“Shrink” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to become or make smaller.
What is the difference between "shrink" and "shrivel"?
"Shrink" means to become or make smaller in a general sense, while "shrivel" specifically implies shrinking with wrinkling, often from drying out or aging. Fabric can shrink in the wash, but fruit shrivels as it loses moisture.
Why is "shrink" used to mean a psychiatrist?
"Shrink" is an informal, sometimes irreverent term for a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. It is casual slang and best avoided in formal or clinical writing, where "psychiatrist" or "therapist" is more appropriate.
What does it mean to "shrink" from something?
To "shrink" from something means to draw back or flinch, especially out of fear or discomfort, as in "she shrank from the confrontation." This is distinct from the physical sense of becoming smaller.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include shrink: