shrink
B1Both neutral and informal (when meaning psychiatrist).
Definition
Meaning
To become or make something smaller in size, amount, or value; to move away from something due to fear or disgust.
In informal contexts, a 'shrink' is a slang term for a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb's primary meaning is about reduction, but its intransitive use often implies a natural process (e.g., 'clothes shrink'), while the transitive use is about causing reduction (e.g., 'shrink the budget'). The sense 'to recoil' is often followed by 'from'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The slang noun 'shrink' (for psychiatrist) is equally common and informal in both varieties. No major usage differences for the verb.
Connotations
The verb is neutral. The noun 'shrink' is informal, sometimes slightly humorous or irreverent.
Frequency
The verb is common. The noun is common in informal/colloquial contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] (intransitive: It shrank in the wash.)[V N] (transitive: They shrank the workforce.)[V from N/-ing] (He shrank from telling her the truth.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shrink into oneself (become withdrawn)”
- “shrink-wrapped (tightly packaged, metaphorically rigid)”
- “a shrinking violet (a very shy person)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Companies may need to shrink their operations to remain profitable.
Academic
The study showed the glacier had shrunk by 30% in a decade.
Everyday
Be careful washing that jumper, or it'll shrink.
Technical
The polymer shrinks uniformly when exposed to heat.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The wool jumper shrank when I washed it at too high a temperature.
- The government aims to shrink the national debt over five years.
American English
- My jeans shrank in the dryer, and now they're too tight.
- The company had to shrink its inventory to cut costs.
adjective
British English
- The shrink film was applied to the pallet for stability.
- They noticed a shrink margin on the financial report.
American English
- The shrink tubing provided excellent insulation for the wires.
- A shrink fit is used in some engineering applications.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sweater shrank. It is too small now.
- He shrank back when he saw the spider.
- The market for this product is shrinking every year.
- She didn't shrink from the difficult task.
- The city's population has shrunk by 15% since the factory closed.
- Investors watched their portfolios shrink during the crisis.
- He's been seeing a shrink to help with his anxiety.
- The charity's funds have shrunk to a fraction of their former size.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SHRimp drINKing a magic potion and getting smaller (SHR+INK).
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR/AVERSION IS PHYSICAL RETREAT ('shrink from'); PSYCHOLOGICAL REDUCTION IS PHYSICAL REDUCTION ('shrink the gap').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse 'shrink' (сжиматься, уменьшаться) with 'wrinkle' (морщина). 'Shrink' for a psychiatrist has no direct single-word equivalent; перевод как 'психиатр' или 'психотерапевт' loses the informal tone.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect past tense: 'shrinked' (correct: 'shrank' or 'shrunk'). Confusing 'shrink' with 'shrivel' (which implies drying and wrinkling).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'shrink' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The simple past is 'shrank' (It shrank quickly). The past participle is 'shrunk' (It has shrunk). 'Shrunk' is also commonly used for the simple past in informal American English.
It's informal and can be perceived as slightly irreverent or humorous. It's best avoided in formal or sensitive contexts; use 'therapist', 'psychiatrist', or 'psychologist' as appropriate.
Both mean to become smaller. 'Contract' is more formal and often used in technical/scientific contexts (metals contract when cooled). 'Shrink' is more general and colloquial, and can imply a less predictable or desired reduction (clothes shrink).
Yes, figuratively. 'She shrank into the corner' (became less noticeable). 'He shrank from his responsibilities' (avoided). It is not used to describe a person physically getting shorter.