# sank

/ˈsæŋk/ (US) · /sˈæŋk/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sank
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the past tense of 'sink'. You use it to say that something went down under the surface of water or another liquid.

For teachers: the past tense of 'sink'. Describes the movement of an object or person toward the bottom of a liquid or the gradual lowering of a level.

## Examples

- The heavy stone sank to the bottom of the lake.
- The sun slowly sank below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of deep orange and purple.
- As the hull breached, the vessel sank rapidly into the icy depths, leaving only a few pieces of debris floating on the surface.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The boat has sank." but "The boat has sunk." — Learners often confuse the past tense 'sank' with the past participle 'sunk' when using the present perfect.

## Usage notes

- The past tense of 'sink'; the past participle is 'sunk'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.