adj
Uncommon
shrinking
SHRIHNG-kihng
Shrinking (adj) means Shy, timid, or reluctant to draw attention to oneself. Example: “She was no shrinking violet when it came to standing up for her team.”
adj
1
Shy, timid, or reluctant to draw attention to oneself.
"She was no shrinking violet when it came to standing up for her team."
How to use shrinking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTimid and easily embarrassed, often used in the phrase "shrinking violet."
Common pairings
shrinking violet
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Word forms
- Plural
- shrinkings
- Comparative
- more shrinking
- Superlative
- most shrinking
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was no _____ violet when it came to standing up for her team.
Etymology
From shrink + -ing.
Antonyms
unshrinking
Rhymes for shrinking
See all rhymes for shrinking →Frequently asked questions
What does “shrinking” mean?
The word “shrinking” means shy, timid, or reluctant to draw attention to oneself. In plain terms, timid and easily embarrassed, often used in the phrase "shrinking violet.".
How do you pronounce “shrinking”?
“Shrinking” is pronounced SHRIHNG-kihng (/ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shrinking” in a sentence?
Here is “shrinking” used in a sentence: “She was no shrinking violet when it came to standing up for her team.”
What is the opposite of “shrinking”?
The opposite of “shrinking” — its antonyms — is unshrinking.
What part of speech is “shrinking”?
“Shrinking” is an adjective.
Is “shrinking” a common word?
“Shrinking” is an uncommon word in modern English.
