sink
SIHNGK
Sink (verb) means to go down below the surface of water or another liquid, or to cause something to do so. Example: “Drop the stone in the pond and watch it sink to the bottom.”
verb
1
To go down below the surface of water or another liquid, or to cause something to do so.
"Drop the stone in the pond and watch it sink to the bottom."
"The old ship sank slowly beneath the waves."
"Rocks in his pockets caused him to sink quickly."
2
To decline gradually in strength, mood, or condition.
"His confidence began to sink after another poor result."
"As the afternoon wore on, our hopes began to sink."
"Her spirits sank as the bad news arrived."
noun
1
A fixed basin with a water supply and drain, used for washing.
"She filled the sink with warm water and added a drop of washing-up liquid."
"There is a tap above the bathroom sink that drips all night."
"He left the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink."
2
A place or system that absorbs a resource, such as heat or carbon.
"The ocean is a huge sink for the carbon that factories release."
"Peat bogs serve as a natural sink, storing carbon in the soil."
"Forests act as a major carbon sink."
How to use sink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGoing downward into something (water, mood) or the basin you wash things in.
Common pairings
sink or swim
kitchen sink
carbon sink
sinking feeling
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Word forms
- Plural
- sinks
- Third person singular
- sinks
- Past tense
- sank, sunk, sunken
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Drop the stone in the pond and watch it _____ to the bottom.
Etymology
From Old English sincan, from Proto-Germanic roots meaning "to fall or sink."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sink
See all rhymes for sink →Frequently asked questions
What does “sink” mean?
The word “sink” means to go down below the surface of water or another liquid, or to cause something to do so. In plain terms, going downward into something (water, mood) or the basin you wash things in.
How do you pronounce “sink”?
“Sink” is pronounced SIHNGK (/ˈsɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “sink” in a sentence?
Here is “sink” used in a sentence: “Rocks in his pockets caused him to sink quickly.”
What is the opposite of “sink”?
The opposite of “sink” — its antonyms — is antonym(s) of.
What part of speech is “sink”?
Depending on how it is used, “sink” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sink” come from?
The word “sink” comes from Old English. From Old English sincan, from Proto-Germanic roots meaning "to fall or sink.".
Is “sink” a common word?
“Sink” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “sink” have?
“Sink” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to go down below the surface of water or another liquid, or to cause something to do so.
What is the difference between 'sink,' 'sank,' and 'sunk'?
'Sink' is the present tense, 'sank' is the standard simple past ('the boat sank'), and 'sunk' is the past participle used with 'have' or 'had' ('the boat has sunk'). 'Sunk' is also increasingly accepted as a simple past in informal use, but 'sank' remains the preferred past-tense form in careful writing.
What is the difference between 'sink' and 'drown'?
To 'sink' means to go down below the surface of a liquid, and it can apply to objects, boats, or people. To 'drown' specifically means to die from being unable to breathe under water, and it applies to living things. A stone sinks but cannot drown.
What is the difference between 'sink' and 'sync'?
'Sink' means to go down below a liquid's surface, or the basin you wash in, and it is unrelated in meaning to 'sync.' 'Sync' is short for 'synchronize,' meaning to match timing or data. They sound the same but are spelled differently and mean different things.
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