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Shrank

/ʃræŋk/

verbB2past tense

Definition

"Shrank" means that something became smaller or reduced in size or amount. This can happen to objects, feelings, or even numbers. It shows a change from bigger to smaller that already happened.

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See It in Action

To become smaller in size or amount (past event)

  • •The shirt shrank after I washed it in hot water.
  • •The company's profits shrank last year due to the market.
  • •His confidence shrank when he made a mistake on stage.

To move back or away because of fear or discomfort (less common)

  • •She shrank from the loud noise in surprise.
  • •The cat shrank behind the sofa when the dog barked.

Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "shrank" like "got small," but as a past action that already finished.
  • ✓Picture a wool sweater that became tight and small after washing.
  • ✓It's the feeling when your favorite shirt no longer fits because it shrank in the wash.
  • ✓Sounds like "shrank" → imagine a tank (big vehicle) suddenly getting very small.
  • ✓In stories, a character might shrink to a tiny size to explore small places.
  • ✓NOT like "grow" (become bigger), "shrank" means the opposite—becoming smaller.
  • ✓NOT like "break" (damage), "shrank" is about size reduction, not breaking.
  • ✓NOT like "reduce" (can be general), "shrank" specifically means becoming physically smaller or less.

Try Other Words

  • •Reduced: became less in amount or size (Use when talking about numbers, amounts, or less physical size)
  • •Contracted: became smaller or tighter (Use in formal or technical contexts)
  • •Diminished: became smaller or weaker (Use for abstract things like feelings or importance)

Unboxing

  • •Word parts: root "shrink" + past tense suffix "-ed" (but irregular form "shrank")
  • •Etymology: From Old English "scrincan," meaning to contract or draw back
  • •Historical development: Used since early English to describe becoming smaller physically or metaphorically
  • •Modern usage: Commonly used in past tense to talk about something that became smaller or less

Reflect & Connect

•Can you think of a time when something you owned shrank unexpectedly? How did you feel?
•How does the idea of "shrinking" help us understand changes in feelings or confidence?

Fill in the blanks

1.The sweater shrank ___ washing it in hot water instead of cold.
2.After the company shrank its staff, the remaining workers had ___ more work.
3.She shrank ___ when the loud thunder scared her during the storm.
4.The balloon shrank ___ after the air slowly escaped.
5.When his hopes shrank, he felt ___ and less motivated.
6.The ice cream shrank ___ quickly in the warm sun.
7.Unlike growing, shrank means the size ___ instead of increasing.