Versmallende

Versmallende is a Dutch present participle form of the verb versmallen, meaning to shrink, narrow, or reduce. Used as an adjective, it describes a process that makes something smaller in width, length, scope, or intensity. The term appears in technical, academic, and journalistic Dutch to characterize trends or changes rather than a completed state.

Origin and grammar: The form is derived from ver- plus smal(l) and is commonly used to modify nouns, for example een versmallende opening or een versmallende marge. In predicative position it can be used as versmallend, as in de opening is versmallend. The related noun versmalling denotes the act or process of shrinking or narrowing.

Contexts and examples: In physical geography or engineering, versmallende describes a narrowing of a channel or passage, such as een versmallende zeestraat. In economics and policy, it can refer to shrinking budgets, margins, or opportunities, for example versmallende budgetten dwingen tot herprioritering. Figuratively, it may indicate decreasing differences or scope, as in versmallende inkomensverschillen.

Relation to related terms: Versmallende is closely linked to versmalling and to verkleining, both describing reductions in size or scope. It is a descriptive term used in Dutch writing to convey ongoing change rather than a completed change, and it is most appropriate when the emphasis is on the process of narrowing.

See also: versmalling, verkleining, versmallen.