Shrinkage: meaning, definitions and examples

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shrinkage

[ˈʃrɪŋkɪdʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in business

The act of reducing in size or amount, especially in the context of business operations. It often refers to a decrease in revenue, profit, or market share.

Synonyms

contraction, decrease, diminution, reduction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shrinkage	This is often used in business or physical contexts to describe the process of becoming smaller in size, amount, or value, typically as an unwanted result. The company reported a shrinkage in profits due to market downturns. Shrinkage of the wool sweater occurred after it was washed in hot water.
reduction	Useful in a wide range of contexts, 'reduction' indicates a process of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. The new law aims at a reduction in the use of plastic bags. Reduction in workload can help improve employee morale.
decrease	This is a general term for a reduction in size, number, or amount, and it is commonly used in various situations without negative connotations. The decrease in temperatures was noticeable in October. There was a decrease in crime rates this year.
diminution	This term often carries a formal tone and indicates a reduction in power, importance, or size. It is less commonly used in everyday speech. The policy led to the diminution of the CEO's authority. Researchers observed a diminution in test scores over the past five years.
contraction	This typically refers to a decrease or shortening in size, amount, or length, often in medical or economic settings. It can also describe a grammatical combination of words. Economic contraction was evident during the recession period. The hospital monitored the patient's muscle contraction during the procedure. In English, the contraction of 'do not' is 'don't'.

Examples of usage

Due to the economic downturn, the company experienced significant shrinkage in its profit margins.
The shrinkage in market demand led to a decrease in production levels.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

fabric/material

The process of becoming smaller or contracting, usually used in reference to fabrics or materials. It can be caused by washing, heat, or other factors.

Synonyms

contraction, shrink, shrinking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shrinkage	Commonly used in business and retail to describe the loss of inventory or assets. It can also refer to the reduction in size of materials. The company faced a significant shrinkage in their stock due to theft The shrinkage of wool after washing was noticeable
contraction	Often used in medical and economic contexts. In medicine, it describes muscles tightening, and in economics, it refers to a reduction in economic activity. The patient's contractions increased as they were closer to delivery The country is facing an economic contraction due to recent policy changes
shrink	Typically describes the process of becoming smaller in size, used for various contexts such as materials, people’s height, or even businesses. Wool clothes can shrink if washed in hot water Her height seemed to shrink as she got older The company had to shrink its workforce due to budget cuts
shrinking	Refers to the ongoing process of becoming smaller or less significant. It's often used to describe trends or continuous actions. They observed the icebergs shrinking over the years due to climate change The shrinking customer base is a concern for the business

Examples of usage

The shrinkage of the woolen sweater after washing was noticeable.
High temperatures can lead to shrinkage in certain types of plastic materials.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

psychological

A reduction in size or quantity, often used in psychological terms to describe the feeling of becoming smaller or less significant.

Synonyms

diminishment, reduction, shrink.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shrinkage	This term is often used in business or financial contexts where the reduction is due to loss or waste, such as inventory shrinkage due to theft or error. The company faced significant shrinkage in their inventory due to shoplifting. Shrinkage in profit margins has been a major concern for the shareholders.
reduction	This is a general and versatile term used in various contexts including business, health, and everyday life to describe making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. She achieved a reduction in her weight after months of dieting and exercise. A reduction in costs helped the company increase its profit margins.
diminishment	Diminishment is typically used in formal or literary settings to describe a decrease in value, importance, or size over time. The community noticed a gradual diminishment of the river's water levels. There was a perceivable diminishment in his enthusiasm after the project failed.
shrink	Shrink is a more informal and common term used in everyday language to describe something becoming smaller in size, often related to physical objects or abstract concepts like confidence. The sweater will shrink if you wash it in hot water. Her confidence seemed to shrink in front of the large audience.

Examples of usage

She felt a sense of emotional shrinkage after the breakup.
The constant criticism led to a shrinkage of his self-esteem.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term originates from the Old English word 'shrincan', which meant 'to become smaller' and dates back to the 12th century.
In the 18th century, 'shrinkage' began to be used specifically in trade and manufacturing, referring to loss in size or volume.

Science

In physics, shrinkage can occur in materials when they cool down, such as metals contracting when they solidify.
Hydration and dehydration processes can lead to shrinkage in biological tissues, impacting how living things respond to their environment.

Economics

In the context of retail and inventory, shrinkage refers to losses due to factors such as theft, damage, and administrative errors.
Investors may refer to 'shrinkage' in markets to describe companies reducing their market share or struggling financially.

Psychology

Shrinkage can metaphorically represent feelings of insecurity or reduced confidence, as a person may 'shrink' in their assertiveness.
In behavioral psychology, it might refer to avoidance patterns where individuals 'shrink away' from social situations due to anxiety.

Cultural References

The term gained cultural prominence through phrases like 'shrinkflation', where products reduce in size, but the price remains the same, reflecting modern consumer issues.
In popular media, shrinkage is humorously addressed in various sitcoms and cartoons, often related to wardrobe malfunctions.

Translations

Translations of the word "shrinkage" in other languages:

🇵🇹 encolhimento

🇮🇳 सिकुड़न

🇩🇪 Schrumpfung

🇮🇩 penyusutan

🇺🇦 усадка

🇵🇱 kurczenie

🇯🇵 収縮 (しゅうしゅく)

🇫🇷 rétrécissement

🇪🇸 encogimiento

🇹🇷 büzülme

🇰🇷 수축 (縮小)

🇸🇦 انكماش

🇨🇿 smrštění

🇸🇰 zmršťovanie

🇨🇳 收缩 (shōusuō)

🇸🇮 krčenje

🇮🇸 skreppa

🇰🇿 қысқару

🇬🇪 შემცირება

🇦🇿 kiçilmə

🇲🇽 encogimiento

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,013, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10010 murderer
10011 stratum
10012 thoracic
10013 shrinkage
10014 bacon
10015 emulsion
10016 branching
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