sink

To move down into water or another soft substance, or make something do this.

• The stone sank quickly.
• Our feet were sinking into the mud.
• Will this boat sink if more water gets in?

How to use it: sink into something (My boots sank into the wet sand.); sink to something (The stone sank to the bottom of the pond.)

Similar words: submerge, go down

Opposites: float, rise

Common phrases: sink into mud, sink to the bottom, sink below something

To make a boat or ship go under the water, usually by damaging it.

• The explosion sank the boat.
• A submarine sank two enemy ships.
• Could one missile sink such a large vessel?

Similar words: send to the bottom

Common phrases: sink a ship, sink a boat, sink enemy vessels

To put a large amount of money into something, often without being able to get it back.

• He sank his savings into the business.
• We've sunk thousands into repairs already.
• Why sink more money into a failing project?

How to use it: sink money into something (They sank all their savings into the restaurant.)

Similar words: invest, pour

Common phrases: sink money into something, sink savings into something

A bowl fixed in a kitchen or bathroom, with taps and a drain, for washing things.

• The dishes are in the sink.
• He washed his hands at the bathroom sink.
• Our kitchen sink is blocked again.

Similar words: basin, washbasin

Common phrases: kitchen sink, bathroom sink, sink drain, sink full of something

A device that takes heat or energy away from another part, often to keep it cool.

• The chip needs a heat sink.
• A metal sink carries heat away from the circuit.
• The fan helps cool the processor's heat sink.

Common phrases: heat sink, energy sink, metal sink

Movement downwards, especially the speed at which an aircraft loses height.

• The pilot reduced the sink rate.
• Excessive sink made the landing rough.
• This glider has a low rate of sink.

Similar words: descent

Opposites: ascent

Common phrases: sink rate, excessive sink, rate of sink