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| sink [ singk ] |
verb (past sank [ sangk ] or sunk [ sungk ], past participle sunk [ sungk ], present participle sink·ing, 3rd person present singular sinks) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb go beneath surface of liquid: to descend, or cause something to descend, beneath the surface of a liquid or a soft substance and become partly or wholly submerged
  We think the ship was sunk by a freak wave.
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2. intransitive verb fall to lower level: to descend, or appear to descend, from a higher position or level to a lower one
The water level has sunk because of drought.
The sun was sinking in the west.
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3. intransitive verb subside: to become gradually more deeply embedded in something, e.g. the ground or mud
This corner of the foundation is sinking.
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4. intransitive verb be absorbed: to become absorbed in something
Smear a little oil on the surface and leave it to sink in.
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5. intransitive verb fall gently: to fall or collapse slowly
sank to his knees
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6. intransitive verb lie back on something: to lower yourself gently or luxuriously
She sank back into the cushions.
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7. intransitive verb subside: to diminish in degree, volume, or strength
The wind sank toward evening.
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8. intransitive verb become less audible: to become quieter or weaker in sound
voice sank to a whisper
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9. intransitive verb lose standing: to pass to a less desirable condition, e.g. a lower social status
sink into obscurity
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10. intransitive verb pass into specific state: to pass to a less active, quieter, or less healthy state
sink into a coma
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11. intransitive verb feel discouragement: to pass into a condition of hopelessness, dejection, or despair
His heart sank.
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12. intransitive verb decline in value: to decline in value or amount
The dollar sank again yesterday.
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13. intransitive verb be dying: to be approaching death
The old lady was sinking fast.
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14. intransitive verb disappear: to be no longer in existence, come to an end, or disappear, often as a result of failure
I don't know what happened to the project, it seems to have sunk without trace.
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15. transitive and intransitive verb penetrate or make penetrate: to penetrate something, or cause something to penetrate something
sank its fangs into her leg
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16. transitive verb drill something into ground: to drill a well, tunnel, or shaft in the ground
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17. transitive verb drive something into ground: to force something into the ground
sinking piles for a dock
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18. transitive verb invest in something: to invest or lose money in a business or project
He must have sunk millions into these theaters.
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19. transitive verb bring somebody or something to ruin: to defeat, undo, or ruin somebody or something
If they won't accept our offer, we're sunk.
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20. transitive verb defeat somebody in contest: to defeat an opponent easily in a game or contest
(
informal
)
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21. transitive verb shoot or hit something successfully: to take aim at something and make a successful shot or stroke
(
informal
)
sink a critical putt
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22. transitive verb U.K. drink something: to drink something, usually quickly
(
informal
)
sink a pint
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noun (plural sinks) |
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| Definition: |
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1. basin for washing something: a basin that is fixed or mounted against a wall, and has a piped water supply and drainage
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2. cesspool: a cesspool, drain, or sewer
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3. bad or corrupt place: a place considered to be wicked and corrupt
(
dated
)
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4. poorly drained land: an area of low-lying, poorly drained land in which water collects, sometimes in the form of a salt lake, and evaporates or sinks into the ground
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5. geography
Same as sinkhole (sense 1)
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6. physics device absorbing energy: a device or component of a system in which a physical entity such as energy or neutrons is absorbed
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| [ Old English sincan< Germanic] |
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| sink·a·ble adjective |
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sink or swim to have no alternative but to succeed or fail without help from anyone else
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