thicken

1 of 2

verb

thick·​en ˈthi-kən 

thickened; thickening ˈthi-kə-niŋ 

ˈthik-

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become dense

the mist thickened

b

: to become concentrated in numbers, mass, or frequency

2

: to grow blurred or obscure

3

: to grow broader or bulkier

4

: to grow complicated or keen

the plot thickens

transitive verb

1

a

: to make thick, dense, or viscous in consistency

thicken gravy with flour

b

: to make close or compact

2

: to increase the depth or diameter of

3

: to make inarticulate : blur

alcohol thickened his speech

thickener

ˈthi-kə-nər 

ˈthik-

noun

thickener

2 of 2

noun

thick·​en·​er -k(ə)nə(r) 

plural -s

: one that thickens: such as

a

: an apparatus for the sedimentation and collection of suspended solids in industrial liquids

b

: a mechanical device for removing part of the water from slush pulp

Examples of thicken in a Sentence

Verb

I thickened the gravy with flour.

When the mixture thickens, add the remaining ingredients.

The fog thickened when night fell.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Add the coconut milk in four or five batches, stirring and letting things bubble vigorously for 3 to 8 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly before adding the next batch. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Temper the egg and cheese mixture with hot pasta water, then toss it with the spaghetti off the heat so the eggs thicken into a silky sauce instead of scrambling. — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026

Follow aeration by overseeding the lawn, as this will thicken the lawn canopy with desirable grass species. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026

Continue as directed in Step 4, increasing the heat on the stove to cook until thickened. — Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for thicken

• chicken
• likin
• quicken
• sicken
• stricken
• indican

Kids Definition

thicken

verb

thick·​en ˈthik-ən 

thickened; thickening -(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to make or become thick, dense, or viscous

thicken gravy with flour

2

: to become complicated

the plot thickens

thickener

-(ə-)nər 

noun