verb

shrink

SHRINGK/ʃrɪŋk/

To contract into a smaller extent.

The apple shrinks and wrinkles as it loses moisture.

A simple left-to-right comparison of the same apple before and after drying: initially plump, then visibly smaller and shriveled, showing a decrease in size.

Etymology

shrinkOld Englishto contract, shrivel or wither

Scrincan described drawing in the limbs, contracting, or withering. These bodily images of becoming smaller developed into the broader meaning of decreasing in size or amount.

In context

Town of Amherst, MA60:26

the Basin got about half the size so we actually were able to shrink the size of the main infiltration system by about half

Conservation Commission Meeting Feb 28, 2024

More examples

Hot water can shrink a wool sweater.
The balloon shrank as the air inside cooled.
Our savings are shrinking as expenses rise.

Forms

shrink · shrinks · shrank · shrunk · shrunken · shrinking

shrinkage noun — A decrease in size or amount.

Similar words

contract: Emphasizes drawing inward or becoming tighter and smaller.
reduce: Means making something smaller, not becoming smaller on its own.
shrivel: Suggests becoming smaller and wrinkled, usually through moisture loss.