Shrank is usually the best choice when you want the past tense of shrink ('I shrank my shirt in the dryer'). Use shrunk when you want the past participle ('I have shrunk my shirt in the dryer'). Shrunken …

SHRUNK definition: a past participle and simple past tense of shrink. See examples of shrunk used in a sentence.

Making short, sudden movements (Definition of shrunk from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

1. to (cause material, clothes etc to) become smaller.

Definition of shrunk in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance: to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact. to contract or lessen in size, as from exposure to conditions of temperature or moisture: This cloth will not shrink if …

Shrunk is the past participle of shrink. The second has shrunk to about half its original size. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Apr 29, 2024 · Shrank is the simple past tense of "shrink," indicating a reduction that occurred in the past, whereas shrunk serves as the past participle, used in perfect tenses and passives.

The meaning of SHRINK is to contract or curl up the body or part of it : huddle, cower.

Oct 12, 2025 · In casual use, found even in careful speech, interchangeable with shrank; in careful formal use, only used for past participle "I have shrunk ", while shrank is used for the past tense "I …