English Reference
Adjective

shrunk

adj.
B1 Intermediate US /ˈʃɹəŋk/ UK /ʃɹˈʌŋk/ shrunk

adj.smaller than it used to be, usually because it was washed in hot water.

adj.reduced in size or volume, typically as a result of heat, moisture, or contraction. Often used predicatively to describe the state of a garment or material.


SIMPLE

My favorite sweater is shrunk and no longer fits.

CONTEXTUAL

The laundry instructions warn that the fabric will look shrunk if you use a high-heat drying cycle.

COMPLEX

The market for traditional film cameras has shrunk significantly since the advent of high-resolution smartphones, leaving only a niche group of dedicated hobbyists.

Usage

While technically a past participle of 'shrink', it frequently functions as a predicative adjective following linking verbs like 'is', 'looks', or 'seems'.

Pitfall
The shirt has shrankThe shirt has shrunk

Learners often confuse the simple past 'shrank' with the past participle 'shrunk' used after the auxiliary verb 'have'.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated