Sink
ˈsɪŋk
Definitions
5 meaningsTo descend below the surface or to cause something to go below the surface.
ˈsɪŋk
To descend or cause to descend below the surface of a liquid or a soft substance.
The heavy stone sank to the bottom of the lake.
💡 Simply: Imagine dropping a toy in the bathtub. It goes down and disappears under the water. That's sinking! Sometimes things naturally sink, like a heavy rock, and sometimes we cause them to sink, like when you drop something.
👶 For kids: To go down into water or mud.
More Examples
The boat was sinking rapidly.
The weight of the water caused the raft to sink.
He sank into the comfortable armchair.
How It's Used
"The ship began to sink after hitting the iceberg."
"Carbon sinks are vital for mitigating climate change."
To decrease in value, strength, or amount; to become worse or to fail.
ˈsɪŋk
To fall or descend, especially to a lower level or condition.
The company's share price sank after the announcement.
💡 Simply: Imagine things getting worse or less good. Like, if your test score sinks, it means you got a lower grade than before. Or your mood sinks when something bad happens.
👶 For kids: To get lower or worse, like when your feelings are sad.
More Examples
My hopes sank when I realized I'd failed the test.
The price of oil sank.
The sun sank slowly in the west.
How It's Used
"Profits sank dramatically last quarter."
"Her spirits sank when she heard the bad news."
To cause something to penetrate into a surface.
ˈsɪŋk
To embed or drive something into a surface.
They sank pilings into the riverbed.
💡 Simply: This is like pushing something down into something else so it stays. Like you can sink a nail into wood, or sink your teeth into an apple.
👶 For kids: To push something down into something else.
More Examples
The dentist sank a filling into my tooth.
The soldiers sank the mine shaft.
She sank her nails in the clay.
How It's Used
"The builders sank the posts deep into the ground."
"She sank her teeth into the apple."
A basin, usually in a kitchen or bathroom, with a drainpipe for washing.
ˈsɪŋk
A fixed basin with a drainpipe, used for washing.
He washed his hands in the sink.
💡 Simply: The sink is the place in the bathroom or kitchen with a faucet and drain where you wash your hands, dishes, or vegetables. You turn on the water and it goes down the drain!
👶 For kids: A bowl with a faucet that you use to wash things.
More Examples
There was a pile of dirty dishes in the sink.
The plumber fixed the sink.
The bathroom had a marble sink.
How It's Used
"Wash your hands in the sink."
"The dishes are piled up in the sink."
A depression or low-lying area.
ˈsɪŋk
A low-lying area that collects water; a depression.
The forest is a major carbon sink.
💡 Simply: Imagine a place in nature where water collects, like a puddle that forms a little dip in the ground. Or, a carbon sink is a special kind of place (like a forest) that helps get rid of carbon dioxide from the air.
👶 For kids: A low spot where water can collect.
More Examples
The water collected in a sink in the road.
A mud sink trapped the truck.
How It's Used
"A sink is a depression where water collects."
"A carbon sink absorbs carbon dioxide."
Synonyms
Descend
Drown
Founder
Decline
Decrease
Deteriorate
Drop
Fall
Drive
Embed
Insert
Basin
Depression
Hollow
Idioms & expressions
sink or swim
To fail or succeed completely through one's own efforts, without help from anyone.
"The company gave him the project and told him it was sink or swim."
a sinkhole
A natural depression in the ground with a collapsed surface layer.
"The house was destroyed by a sinkhole."
to sink in
For information or an idea to become fully understood.
"It took a few minutes for the news to sink in."
From Old English *sincan* (weak verb) and *sencan* (strong verb), both meaning 'to cause to fall' or 'to submerge', ultimately from Proto-Germanic *senkwaną.
The word 'sink' has been used since Old English times, originally referring to the action of submerging or collapsing. Over time, it evolved to include both physical and figurative meanings of descent or decline.
Memory tip
Imagine throwing a rock in a lake – it sinks.