Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
shrievalty
shrift
shrike
shrill
shrimp
shrimp plant
shrine
Shriner
shrink
shrink fit
shrink-wrap
shrinkage
shrinking violet
shrive
shrivel
shriven
Shrivijaya
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

shrink

shrink [ shringk ]


verb  (past shrank [ shrangk ] or shrunk [ shrungk ], past participle shrunk or shrunk·en [ shrúngkən ], present participle shrink·ing, 3rd person present singular shrinks)
Definition:
 
1. transitive and intransitive verb make or become smaller: to become smaller, or cause something to become smaller, e.g. when exposed to cold, heat, or damp

2. transitive and intransitive verb reduce size: to decrease in amount, extent, value, or weight, or cause something to decrease in this way

3. intransitive verb draw away from something: to move back and away, especially out of disgust, fear, or horror
shrinking back in revulsion

4. intransitive verb be disinclined to do something: to be unwilling or reluctant to do something, especially something difficult or unpleasant
She does not shrink from tackling tough problems.



noun  (plural shrinks)
Definition:
 
1.  ( slang )
Same as  psychiatrist
( considered offensive by some people )

2. act of shrinking away: an act of shrinking away from something

3. amount something shrinks: the amount by which something shrinks

[ Old English scrincan "to wither" < Indo-European, "to turn, bend"]

shrink·a·ble adjective
shrink·er noun

Word Key: Synonyms

See recoil.

Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft