What does sink mean?
Sink is a versatile word that describes both downward movement and deterioration. As a verb, it can refer to something moving beneath the surface of water, descending rapidly, or falling in value or intensity. People also say that confidence or spirits are sinking, or that someone is sunk by a failure or a piece of bad news. In its emotional sense, the word carries the idea of being overwhelmed: a person may be sunk in thought, grief, or despair. As a noun, a sink is a basin into which water drains, especially in a kitchen or bathroom. The phrase “kitchen sink” has also given rise to idioms suggesting that everything imaginable has been included or attempted. Together, its physical and figurative meanings make sink a familiar word for descent, loss, and the final disposal of objects or worries.
To move below the surface of a liquid or other substance; to descend, decrease, deteriorate, or become overwhelmed.
"The rising tide sank the wooden steps into the sand."
When used figuratively, the verb commonly describes a decline in value, quality, confidence, or spirits.
A basin or receptacle into which water is drained, or a place where unwanted objects or material are discarded.
"There was no clean drinking water anywhere in the cabin, only a small sink in the kitchen."
The word is standard in both British and American English, although surrounding fixtures and vocabulary may differ regionally.
Use the plural when referring to more than one basin or receptacle, or to several objects used for discarding things.
"The old restaurant was fitted with two large sinks and a wooden draining board."
People say someone has thrown everything but the kitchen sink at them—because the kitchen sink has long been imagined as the ultimate receptacle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sink come from?
The word comes from Old English sincan, meaning “to sink” or “submerge,” with the noun sicu originally referring to a place where water drained. Its verbal forms include the irregular past tense sank and past participle sunk, which reflect developments in the language over time. Closely related words appear in other Germanic languages, including Dutch zinken and German sinken.
Related word forms
How sink is actually used
The verb is common in both formal and informal English. The noun “sink” is more common in British and American English for a kitchen or bathroom basin; in American usage, “sink” may also refer to the basin itself, while British usage more often distinguishes the basin from the tap or faucet.
Easily confused with sink
Sink is a verb or noun referring to descent or a basin, whereas since is a conjunction or preposition referring to a point in time.
Sink means to descend or decline, while sync means to synchronize or match.