shrinking

SHRINK-ing/ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ/

3 meanings of shrinking

1
verb
Present participle and gerund of shrink. Use this form for an action happening now or for the name of the process.
The wool sweater keeps shrinking every time we wash it.
I noticed my savings were shrinking faster than I expected.
Note
2
noununcountable
The act of getting smaller, or of pulling back in a shy or fearful way.
Like a wool sweater getting smaller after a hot wash.
The shrinking of the lake worried the local farmers.
Her shrinking from the loud crowd showed how nervous she felt.
Similarcontraction, reduction, retreat, decline
Oppositegrowth, expansion
Note
3
adjective
Very shy and wanting to stay away from other people.
Like a turtle that pulls into its shell when people come close.
The shrinking child hid behind her mother at the party.
He gave a shrinking smile and looked down at the floor.
Similarshy, timid, retiring, bashful, diffident
Oppositebold, confident, outgoing, assertive
Note

shrinking is a form of shrink

shrink, verb: To get smaller, or to make something smaller. Full entry

Forms: shrinkshrinks he/she/itshrinking -ing formshrank past tenseshrunk past participle
Spelling: shrink → shrinking: add -ing

Practice

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Origin

From the word "shrink" plus "-ing".