Sink Meaning
Sink Definition & Usage
A fixture in a kitchen, bathroom, or other rooms for holding water, washing dishes, or personal hygiene.
Examples
- "I need to clean the sink before I start cooking."
- "The plumber fixed the sink because it was leaking."
- "She filled the sink with warm water to wash the dishes."
- "He accidentally dropped his ring in the sink."
- "Please rinse the vegetables in the sink before cutting them."
To descend or drop to a lower level, especially below the surface of water.
Examples
- "The boat began to sink after hitting the rock."
- "She felt her heart sink when she heard the bad news."
- "The anchor sank to the bottom of the sea."
- "If you drop the stone, it will sink in the water."
- "His spirits sank after the disappointing performance review."
To cause something or someone to be submerged or to decrease in level or quality.
Examples
- "She tried to sink the boat by poking a hole in it."
- "The company's stock price began to sink after the announcement of layoffs."
- "His reputation sank after the scandal."
- "The ship sank during a violent storm in the Atlantic."
- "They feared the project would sink without proper funding."
Cultural Context
The word 'sink' has multiple meanings, from the common household fixture to its use in metaphorical expressions. It comes from the Old English word 'sincan,' meaning to submerge or go down, and has been in use for over a thousand years. Over time, the word has also taken on symbolic meanings related to failure, decline, or emotional descent.
The Heart That Sank
Story
The Heart That Sank
Lena had always been known for her optimism, but nothing could prepare her for the phone call that morning. She had worked tirelessly for months on the upcoming launch, believing it would be her big break. But the news from her boss was the opposite: the project was canceled. As the words sank in, a cold, sinking feeling took over her, as though the ground beneath her had dropped away. She put the phone down and stared at the sink in her kitchen, the water from the faucet running, almost like the noise was mocking her. Her heart sank further as she realized all her efforts had been in vain. After a few moments of silence, she gathered herself. The water in the sink, the one she’d been ignoring, seemed to symbolize how everything was slipping away, flowing down, much like her dreams. But Lena wasn’t one to stay down for long. With a deep breath, she stood up, resolved to make the best of the situation. She would not let her hopes sink completely. Later that day, as Lena took a walk to clear her mind, she passed a local café and overheard a conversation about a new project in her field. Her curiosity piqued, she decided to approach the group. What she learned reignited her enthusiasm, and before long, Lena found herself back on the upward swing. It was then she realized: even when things seemed to sink to their lowest, there was always a way back up, a way to float again. As she stood at the counter later, washing her hands in the sink, she reflected on how her heart had sunk that morning, only to rise again through persistence and openness to new opportunities. Maybe, just maybe, this was the real lesson she needed to learn.
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