shrink

American  

[shringk] / ʃrɪŋk /

verb (used without object)

shrank, shrunk, shrunk, shrunken, shrinking

1. to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance.

   to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact.

   Synonyms:

   quail, recoil, withdraw

2. to contract or lessen in size, as from exposure to conditions of temperature or moisture.

   This cloth will not shrink if washed in lukewarm water.

3. to become reduced in extent or scope.

   Antonyms:

   increase

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verb (used with object)

shrank, shrunk, shrunk, shrunken, shrinking

1. to cause to shrink or contract; reduce.

2. Textiles. to cause (a fabric) to contract during finishing, thus preventing shrinkage, during laundering, of the garments made from it.

noun

1. an act or instance of shrinking.

2. a shrinking movement.

3. shrinkage.

4. Also called head shrinker.  Slang. Also a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or psychoanalyst.

shrink British  

/ ʃrɪŋk /

verb

1. to contract or cause to contract as from wetness, heat, cold, etc

2. to become or cause to become smaller in size

3. 1. to recoil or withdraw

      to shrink from the sight of blood

   2. to feel great reluctance (at)

      to shrink from killing an animal

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noun

1. the act or an instance of shrinking

2. slang a psychiatrist

Related Words

See wince ¹. See decrease.

Other Word Forms

• nonshrinkable
  adjective
• nonshrinking
  adjective
• nonshrinkingly
  adverb
• overshrink
  verb
• shrinkable
  adjective
• shrinker
  noun
• shrinking
  adjective
• shrinkingly
  adverb
• unshrinkable
  adjective
• unshrinking
  adjective
• unshrinkingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of shrink

First recorded before 900, and in 1955–60 shrink for def. 9; Middle English schrinken, Old English scrincan; cognate with Middle Dutch schrinken, Swedish skrynka “to shrink,” Norwegian skrukka “old shrunken woman”

Explanation

Shrink is the informal word you can use to talk about a therapist. Talking about your problems with her can hopefully help you shrink them, or make them smaller. The word shrink is related to the Swedish skrynka meaning "to wrinkle." Think about what happens to a lone forgotten fruit at the bottom of your fridge drawer. After a while, it begins to wrinkle or shrink. Clothes washed in hot water tend to shrink, so be wary of the setting on your washing machine. The use of shrink as referring to therapists started as late as the 1960s — with the idea of a psychologist being a "head-shrinker."

Example Sentences

They repeatedly grow and shrink during successive trips through the laser cavity, creating a rhythmic oscillation that resembles breathing.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

This can hurt the caregiver’s finances, worsen their retirement prospects and shrink their eventual Social Security benefit.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

On Monday, the International Monetary Fund urged the UK to stick to the fiscal rules which continue to shrink government borrowing faster than other major economies.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Many say they can’t afford to lose momentum on their rebuild, concerned about losing contractors, rising construction costs or how additional delays could further shrink their already-dwindling insurance payouts for temporary housing.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Ella wished she could shrink herself down and peek into the tiny alcoves.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• decrease
• diminish
• drop off
• dwindle
• fall off
• lessen
• narrow
• reduce
• shorten
• shrivel
• wane
• weaken
• wither