shrank

Shrank is the simple past tense of the verb shrink. It describes something that became smaller in size or amount, or an action in which an object or person contracted or recoiled. The standard past participle form is shrunk, used with have/has/had.

Etymology and forms: The verb shrink is of Germanic origin. It has an irregular conjugation: shrink, shrank, shrunk. The past tense shrank is used for completed past actions, while the past participle shrunk is used in perfect tenses such as has shrunk.

Usage: In everyday English, shrank appears in physical contexts (The sweater shrank in the wash), but it also describes reductions in quantity or importance (Revenue shrank last quarter). It can be used figuratively, as in fear causing the crowd to shrink back.

Related forms: The adjective shrunken is used to describe something that has become smaller (a shrunken shirt). The present participle shrinking describes an ongoing reduction or process, as in shrinking markets or shrinking water levels.