Definition of Sink

  • (v. i.) To fall by, or as by, the force of gravity; to descend lower and lower; to decline gradually; to subside; as, a stone sinks in water; waves rise and sink; the sun sinks in the west.
  • (v. i.) To enter deeply; to fall or retire beneath or below the surface; to penetrate.
  • (v. i.) Hence, to enter so as to make an abiding impression; to enter completely.
  • (v. i.) To be overwhelmed or depressed; to fall slowly, as so the ground, from weakness or from an overburden; to fail in strength; to decline; to decay; to decrease.
  • (v. i.) To decrease in volume, as a river; to subside; to become diminished in volume or in apparent height.
  • (v. t.) To cause to sink; to put under water; to immerse or submerge in a fluid; as, to sink a ship.
  • (v. t.) Figuratively: To cause to decline; to depress; to degrade; hence, to ruin irretrievably; to destroy, as by drowping; as, to sink one's reputation.
  • (v. t.) To make (a depression) by digging, delving, or cutting, etc.; as, to sink a pit or a well; to sink a die.
  • (v. t.) To bring low; to reduce in quantity; to waste.
  • (v. t.) To conseal and appropriate.
  • (v. t.) To keep out of sight; to suppress; to ignore.
  • (v. t.) To reduce or extinguish by payment; as, to sink the national debt.
  • (n.) A drain to carry off filthy water; a jakes.
  • (n.) A shallow box or vessel of wood, stone, iron, or other material, connected with a drain, and used for receiving filthy water, etc., as in a kitchen.
  • (n.) A hole or low place in land or rock, where waters sink and are lost; -- called also sink hole.

Synonyms of Sink


Homophones of Sink