- 1[intransitive] to go down below the surface or toward the bottom of a liquid or soft substance The ship sank to the bottom of the sea. We're sinking! The wheels started to sink into the mud. The little boat sank beneath the waves. to sink like a stone
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boat - 2[transitive] sink something to damage a boat or ship so that it goes below the surface of the ocean, etc. a battleship sunk by a torpedo Bombs sank all four carriers.
- 3[intransitive] + adv./prep. (of a person) to move downward, especially by falling or sitting down synonym collapse I sank into an armchair. She sank back into her seat, exhausted. The old man had sunk to his knees. move downward
- 4[intransitive] (of an object) to move slowly downward The sun was sinking in the west. The foundations of the building are starting to sink. become weaker
- 5[intransitive] to decrease in amount, volume, strength, etc. The pound has sunk to its lowest recorded level against the dollar. He is clearly sinking fast (= getting weaker quickly and will soon die). of voice
- 6[intransitive] to become quieter synonym fade Her voice sank to a whisper. dig in ground
- 7[transitive] sink something to make a deep hole in the ground synonym drill to sink a well/shaft/mine
- 8[transitive] sink something (+ adv./prep.) to place something in the ground by digging to sink a post into the ground see sunken prevent success
- 9[transitive] sink something/somebody (informal) to prevent someone or someone's plans from succeeding I think I've just sunk my chances of getting the job. If the car breaks down, we'll be sunk (= have serious problems). ball
- 10[transitive] sink something to get a ball into a hole or basket in games such as golf or basketball He sank a 12-foot putt to win the match. Idioms
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NAmE//sɪŋk//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they sink he / she / it sinks
past simple sank
past participle sunk
-ing form sinking
to be in a state of unhappiness or deep thought She just sat there, sunk in thought.
used to talk about people who leave an organization, a company, etc. that is having difficulties, without caring about the people who are left
used to say that someone suddenly feels sad or depressed about something My heart sank when I saw how much work there was left. She watched him go with a sinking heart.
to agree to forget about your disagreements We need to sink our differences and present a united opposition to the plan.
an unpleasant feeling that you get when you realize that something bad has happened or is going to happen I had a horrible sinking feeling when I saw the ambulance outside the house.
to be in a situation where you will either succeed by your own efforts or fail completely The new students were just left to sink or swim.
to have such low moral standards that you do something very bad Stealing from your friends? How could you sink so low? I can't believe that anyone would sink to such depths. Phrasal Verbssink insink into
Check pronunciation: sink