sink
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.a large bowl with a tap and a drain, usually in a kitchen, used for washing dishes or hands.
n.a fixed basin with a water supply and drainage system, primarily used for culinary or hygienic cleansing.
Simple“Please put your dirty plates in the kitchen sink after you finish eating.”
In context“The industrial kitchen was equipped with a deep stainless-steel sink designed to accommodate large catering pots and pans.”
Synonymsbasinwashbasin - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a place or thing that collects or absorbs energy, money, or resources.
n.a technical or figurative destination that absorbs and dissipates energy, matter, or financial resources from a system.
Simple“Forests act as a carbon sink by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air.”
In context“Economists identified the failing infrastructure project as a massive capital sink that offered no realistic prospect of a return on investment.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a point in a computer network or graph where data or signals are received.
n.a node in a directed graph or a destination vertex in a network that receives incoming edges but has no outgoing ones.
Simple“In this data flow diagram, the database acts as the final sink for all user information.”
In context“The software architect designed the event sink to handle asynchronous callbacks from multiple external APIs simultaneously.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 A2 Elementary
v.to go down below the surface of water or another liquid.
v.to descend or cause to descend below the surface of a liquid or soft substance.
Simple“The heavy stone sank to the bottom of the lake immediately.”
In context“The damaged vessel began to sink rapidly after the hull was breached by the jagged rocks near the shoreline.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
v.to move slowly downwards, or to sit down because you are tired.
v.to descend gradually to a lower level; often used for physical posture or environmental conditions.
Simple“He was so exhausted that he sank into the nearest armchair.”
In context“As the sun began to sink below the horizon, the temperature in the valley dropped significantly.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to become less in amount, value, or strength.
v.to decline in magnitude, value, or intensity; to fail in physical or emotional strength.
Simple“Her heart sank when she realised she had failed the exam.”
In context“Consumer confidence continued to sink throughout the quarter as inflation reached its highest level in a decade.”
- 07 C1 Advanced
v.to spend a lot of money on something, usually a business or project.
v.to invest money or resources into a venture, often with the implication that they cannot be recovered.
Simple“They sank all their savings into opening a small restaurant.”
In context“The venture capitalists were hesitant to sink more funds into the startup without a clearer path to profitability.”
Synonymsinvestplough into - 08 C2 Proficiency
v.to drink a large amount of alcohol quickly.
v.to consume an alcoholic beverage rapidly or in large quantities.
Simple“They went to the pub and sank a few pints before the game started.”
In context“After a long shift at the factory, the workers gathered at the local bar to sink several rounds of ale.”
Usage sinking into the ground