sink in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, but common in semi-formal spoken contexts; rare in formal academic writing.
Quick answer
What does “sink in” mean?
For a fact, idea, or reality to become fully understood or emotionally processed, often after a period of time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
For a fact, idea, or reality to become fully understood or emotionally processed, often after a period of time.
To be gradually comprehended or accepted; for the true significance or emotional impact of something to be realized.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The expression is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both, though often associated with processing difficult or surprising information.
Frequency
Equally frequent and idiomatic in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “sink in” in a Sentence
[Fact/News/Reality] + [sinks/sank] + in.It took (time) for [fact] to sink in.[Let/Allow] that to sink in.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sink in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The full cost of the renovation is only just beginning to sink in.
- It hasn't quite sunk in that we've won the league.
American English
- The reality of moving cross-country still hasn't sunk in for me.
- Let the instructions sink in before you start the test.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as a phrasal verb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as a phrasal verb.)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as a phrasal verb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as a phrasal verb.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The implications of the merger took several days to sink in among the staff.'
Academic
'The full significance of the discovery only began to sink in after months of peer review.'
Everyday
'When he told me he was leaving, it took a minute for the words to sink in.'
Technical
Not typically used in technical manuals; more for human-centric process descriptions in tech (e.g., 'The severity of the security breach is still sinking in.').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sink in”
- Using it transitively: *'I couldn't sink in the information.' (Correct: 'The information wouldn't sink in.')
- Using the wrong preposition: *'sink into' is a related but different literal/phrasal verb (e.g., 'sink into a chair'). 'Sink in' is a fixed idiomatic unit.
- Confusing tense: Using 'sinked in' instead of 'sank in' for the past simple.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'sink it in' in this idiomatic sense. The object (the information) is the subject of the sentence.
Yes, absolutely. While often used for shocking or negative news, it is perfectly correct for any significant information that takes time to fully appreciate (e.g., 'The joy of becoming a parent is still sinking in.').
'Realize' is a conscious, often instantaneous act of understanding. 'Sink in' describes the slower, often subconscious process *after* initial realization, where the emotional or full mental impact is absorbed.
The past simple is 'sank in' (e.g., 'The truth finally sank in yesterday.'). The past participle is 'sunk in' (e.g., 'Has the news sunk in yet?').
For a fact, idea, or reality to become fully understood or emotionally processed, often after a period of time.
Sink in is usually informal, but common in semi-formal spoken contexts; rare in formal academic writing. in register.
Sink in: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋk ɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋk ɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Let that sink in.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of your mind as a sponge. Important news is like water; it doesn't absorb instantly—it has to SINK IN.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS ABSORPTION / MENTAL PROCESSING IS A PHYSICAL PROCESS (of penetration or permeation).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'sink in' correctly?