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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Shrink: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：become smaller (shrink)

shrink 🔊

/ʃrɪŋk/

To become smaller in size, often because of getting wet, hot, or being washed.

Shrink meaning illustrated: a shrunken wool sweater after washing, showing physical reduction.

become smaller 🔊

➕

/bɪˈkʌm ˈsmɔːlə/

To reduce in physical dimensions, often as a result of exposure to heat, moisture, or a specific process.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'scrincan', meaning to contract or shrivel up.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a drink (shrink) that makes you smaller when you drink it.

📖 Example

Be careful washing that wool sweater in hot water, or it will shrink. 🔊 Be careful washing that wool sweater in hot water, or it will become smaller.

🔗 Collocations

shrink away from – to recoil or move back from something out of fear or reluctance

shrink-fit – a metal part made slightly larger to fit tightly into another after cooling

shrink-wrapped – enclosed in a tight, transparent plastic film by heating

🔄 Synonyms

contract (v.) – to become smaller or narrower, often naturally

compress (v.) – to press or squeeze into a smaller space

shrivel (v.) – to wrinkle and contract, often due to loss of moisture

🚫 Antonyms

expand (v.) – to become larger in size or volume

enlarge (v.) – to make or become bigger

swell (v.) – to become larger or rounder in size, often due to pressure

🌱 Derivatives

shrinkage (n.) – the process, fact, or amount of shrinking

shrunken (adj.) – having become smaller in size

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'shrink' originates from Old English, related to a Proto-Germanic root for drawing in or shriveling. In modern slang, a 'shrink' refers to a psychotherapist, derived from the notion of 'headshrinker'.

Meaning 2：decrease in quantity (shrink)

shrink 🔊

/ʃrɪŋk/

To become less in amount, number, or value over time.

Shrink definition: a line graph showing market share decreasing over time, representing decline.

decrease in quantity 🔊

➕

/dɪˈkriːs ɪn ˈkwɒntɪti/

To undergo a reduction in amount, number, or value over a period of time.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The local ice cream shop saw its customer base shrink during the cold winter months. 🔊 The local ice cream shop saw its customer base decrease in quantity during the cold winter months.

🔗 Collocations

shrink from – to be reluctant or unwilling to do something difficult

shrink in importance – to become less significant or critical

shrink the gap – to reduce a disparity or difference

🔄 Synonyms

dwindle (v.) – to diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength

decline (v.) – to decrease in strength, quality, or quantity

diminish (v.) – to make or become less

🚫 Antonyms

grow (v.) – to increase in size or amount

increase (v.) – to become or make greater in size, amount, or intensity

proliferate (v.) – to increase rapidly in number

🌱 Derivatives

shrinkage (n.) – a reduction in the size, quantity, or value of something