shrink

/ʃrɪŋk/ (bre, ipa) · /ʃrɪŋk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshriŋk especially Southern ˈsriŋk/ (ame, mw)

shrink — verb

  • shrinkpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • shrinkshe / she / it
  • shrankpast simple
  • shrunkpast simple
  • shrinking-ing form

1. when something gets smaller in size, amount, or value — or when someone or somet

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

when something gets smaller in size, amount, or value — or when someone or something causes it to get smaller — for instance, a woollen sweater shrinks in hot water, and a weak economy can cause profits to shrink.

例句

Jin washed his new woollen jumper in hot water, and it shrank two sizes.

intransitive: material shrinks from heat or water

The factory's workforce shrank by fifteen percent after the owner moved production overseas.

shrink + by + percentage

同義詞
  • contract

    specifically about drawing together or tightening in size, less about value or amount

  • dwindle

    focuses on gradual reduction until nearly gone, often of resources or amounts

  • reduce

    more formal and broader; can apply to any kind of lessening, often requires a direct object

反義詞
  • expand

    to become larger in size, amount, or scope

  • grow

    to increase naturally in size or amount over time

文法句型

shrink + noun phrase (e.g. shrink the workforce)

shrink (no object, e.g. the sweater shrunk)

shrink + by + amount

用法筆記

The past tense is 'shrank' and the past participle is 'shrunk' — both are irregular. 'Shrunken' is occasionally used as an adjective before nouns (e.g. 'a shrunken sweater'). This sense is the only one that can be transitive (you can shrink something).

常見錯誤

❌The shirt has been shrinked in the wash.
✅The shirt has shrunk in the wash.
💡'Shrinked' is not standard; use 'shrank' (past) or 'shrunk' (past participle).
❌The company shrinked its staff.
✅The company shrank its staff.
💡The irregular past is 'shrank', never 'shrinked'.

2. to pull your body backwards or to the side as an instinctive reaction to somethi

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to pull your body backwards or to the side as an instinctive reaction to something that frightens, hurts, or shocks you.

例句

Talia shrank back when the stray cat hissed and bared its teeth at her.

shrink back + from + stimulus (fear response)

The witness shrank from the accident footage on the evening news.

shrink from + noun phrase (recoiling from disturbing sight)

同義詞
  • recoil

    suggests a stronger, more dramatic reaction of disgust or horror

  • flinch

    a quicker, smaller movement, often involuntary and triggered by pain or threat

  • cower

    suggests staying low or curled up in fear rather than moving away

反義詞
  • approach

    to move towards someone or something

  • confront

    to face something directly, especially something intimidating

文法句型

shrink + back + from + noun phrase

shrink + away + from + noun phrase

shrink + from + noun phrase

用法筆記

Always intransitive — this sense never takes a direct object. Common directional particles are 'back', 'away', and the preposition 'from'. The movement is physical and instinctive, not a considered decision to avoid someone.

常見錯誤

❌She shrank him because he was scary.
✅She shrank back from him because he was scary.
💡This sense is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object.
❌He shrank from the responsibility.' (when meaning 'avoided a duty')
✅This usage exists but is a different, rarer sense. For physical recoiling, use 'shrank back' or 'shrank away from'.

shrink — noun