French Conversation · Level 178
15 words
French word
rétrécir
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁetʁesiʁ/
Meaning
- verbshrink
Example
Ce pull a rétréci au lavage.
This sweater shrank in the wash.
More examples
La laine a rétréci avec la chaleur.
The wool shrank with the heat.
Core concept
A larger shape drawn inward, like cloth tightening and losing part of its original dimensions.
Common phrases
rétrécir au lavage
shrink in the wash
faire rétrécir
make ___ shrink
Similar words
réduire: Reduce the amount or extent of something.
diminuer: Become less numerous, strong, or intense.
Definition in French
Faire devenir plus petit en taille ou en largeur par une action ou un changement, en particulier pour les matières et les vêtements.
Word origin
The verb comes through Old French from Latin stringere, "to tighten," with the idea of tightening developing into becoming narrower or smaller.
Usage tips
- Rétrécir can be intransitive when the object changes size, as in a garment, while rétrécir quelque chose is transitive when an agent causes the change.
Other meanings
- reduceverb
- narrowverb
Opposites
- agrandirenlargeverb
Related words
- rétrécishrunkenadjective
- rétrécissementshrinkagenoun