What does shrink mean?
Shrink means to become smaller, or to make something smaller, and it can describe physical size as well as decreases in quantity, value, or influence. The word also has a figurative use meaning to withdraw, recoil, or become hesitant, as when someone shrinks back from a frightening sight or refuses to shrink from responsibility. Its connotations range from neutral and practical, as in discussing clothing or business costs, to somewhat emotional when the word describes fear or embarrassment. Although people often say that a garment has "shrunk," the verb is also used with objects as its subject, such as "the company shrank its workforce." In the informal noun sense, a "shrink" is a doctor or therapist, especially a psychiatrist. Overall, shrink is a versatile word for describing contraction, reduction, and reluctant retreat.
To become smaller in size, amount, or extent, or to make something smaller; to withdraw or recoil, especially in fear or reluctance.
"The company decided to shrink its production costs."
The verb is used both transitively and intransitively.
An act or instance of shrinking, especially a reduction in size, quantity, or value. Informally, it can also mean a doctor or psychiatrist.
"There was a marked shrink in demand after the announcement."
The plural shrinks is used for separate instances or reductions and for the plural of the informal noun meaning doctor.
"The company recorded several sharp shrinks in revenue."
Shrink is a shape-shifter: it describes clothes getting smaller, people instinctively pulling back, and businesses quietly becoming less.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shrink come from?
The English word comes from Old English scrincan, meaning "to wither, shrivel, or draw back," and is inherited from a Germanic root. Its relatives include Dutch schrinken, German schrumpfen, and Swedish skrynka, which reflect the same Germanic origin. Over time, the word developed from its older sense of withering or drawing inward into its modern meanings of becoming smaller, reducing something, or recoiling.
Related word forms
How shrink is actually used
The verb can be transitive or intransitive. It is formal to standard in most contexts, although phrases such as "shrink from" can convey a particularly forceful sense of reluctance.
Easily confused with shrink
A shrine is a sacred place or object, whereas shrink means to become smaller or to recoil.