Shrinkage Meaning
/ʃrˈɪŋkɪdʒ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of shrinking, or the proportion by which something shrinks.
nounThe act of shrinking, or the proportion by which something shrinks., The loss of merchandise through theft, spoilage, and obsolescence: the shrinking of inventory.
Sentence Examples
Drying this fabric at a high temperature may cause shrinkage.
I don't think the dryer was responsible for the shrinkage.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The textile factory reported a 5% ____ in the fabric after washing.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The factory manager was concerned about the high percentage of ____ in the latest batch of wool sweaters.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English shrink Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātus Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icus Latin -āticus Latin -āticum Old French -agebor. Middle English -age English -age English shrinkage From shrink + -age.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"How far progress has been made in liquidating the locomotive stock of the old companies may be judged from the shrinkage in their numbers, by some 50 per cent. at the end of 1931, to about 35 per cent. in 1938."
— 1939 September, D. S. Barrie, “The Railways of South Wales”, in Railway Magazine, page 161:
"An emergency South Western Railway (SWR) timetable came into force on September 5, in response to the shrinkage of clay embankments on the nine miles between Gillingham and Tisbury. The shrinkage has been caused by the driest summer since 1936, with a severe 40mph speed restriction having to be imposed."
— 2022 September 21, “Network News: West of England Line average speeds drop... to just 31mph”, in RAIL, number 966, page 18:
"This is why guys experience "shrinkage" after they've been swimming."
— 2006, Steve Gerali, Teenage Guys: Exploring Issues Adolescent Guys Face and Strategies to Help Them, Zondervan, page 63:
"That'll get their blood flowing. ... getting the blood flowing coz just the mere thought of jumping into that icy water was starting to get the shrinkage going."
— 2008, Anthony William Brownless, Billy's Book for Blokes, Allen & Unwin:
"And of course, one of the most important questions of all, especially among male plungers, is, "What about shrinkage?!""
— 2010, Fran Capo, Art Zuckerman, Susan Zuckerman, “Polar Bear Clubs”, in It Happened in New York City: Remarkable Events That Shaped History, Globe Pequot, page 51:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The textile factory reported a 5% ____ in the fabric after washing.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The factory manager was concerned about the high percentage of ____ in the latest batch of wool sweaters.