shrinking

Shy and retiring.

Adjective

  1. Shy and retiring.

Origin

Etymology tree English shrink English -ing English shrinking From shrink + -ing.

Forms

more shrinking most shrinking

Antonyms

unshrinking

Derived

nonshrinking shrinkingly shrinking violet

Noun

  1. The act of one who, or that which, shrinks; act of becoming smaller or moving timidly away.
    • […] the silent grief beyond the power of words—the generous consolations of the noble sister—the shrinkings of the poor criminal, and his relapsings into a gentler penitence […] - 1822, The New Monthly Magazine and...
    • The notion of a gently-nurtured girl being at the mercy of that fiend incarnate […] was one which caused me tangible shrinkings of the body. - 1897, Richard Marsh, The Beetle:

Forms

shrinkings

Derived

antishrinking

Verb

  1. present participle and gerund of shrink