B1verb1K

Sink

UK /["/sɪŋk/","/sɪŋks/","/sæŋk/","/sʌŋk/","/ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/"]/US /["/sɪŋk/","/sɪŋks/","/sæŋk/","/sʌŋk/","/ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to go down below the surface or towards the bottom of a liquid or soft substance

In simple words: A place where you wash dishes and hands.

Examples

  • The ship began to sink after hitting the iceberg.
  • I accidentally dropped my phone in the water and watched it sink.
  • He likes to sink into the couch and relax after a long day.
  • The weight of the books made the table sink lower.
  • If you add too much salt to the soup, it will sink to the bottom of the pot.

Usage notes

Used in everyday contexts for kitchens and bathrooms. Not used in formal writing. Avoid confusion with 'sank' which is its past tense.

Grammar pattern

sink + object

Memory hint

Think of a sink where dirty dishes 'sink' to the bottom when you wash them.

Collocations

  • slowly
  • fast
  • down
  • begin to
  • start to
  • below
  • beneath
  • into
  • sink like a stone
  • sink or swim
  • sink to the bottom (of something)
  • wearily
  • gratefully
  • gracefully
  • into
  • onto
  • sink below the horizon
  • sink to the floor
  • sink to the ground
  • wearily
  • gratefully
  • gracefully
  • into
  • onto
  • sink below the horizon
  • sink to the floor
  • sink to the ground
  • quickly
  • rapidly
  • gradually
  • into
  • sink to a new low
  • sink to new lows

Synonyms

  • collapse
  • fade
  • drill

Antonyms

  • float
  • rise

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'sank' - the past tense of sink.
  • Using 'sink' as a noun when describing the action of sinking.
  • Mispronouncing it as 'sinc'.