thicken

verb

thick·​en ˈthi-kən 

thickened; thickening ˈthik-niŋ 

ˈthi-kə-

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

ˈthik-nər 

ˈthi-kə-

noun

Examples of thicken in a Sentence

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

Because using all the meat from a large bird will thicken the stew to the point where the dumplings won’t be able to float. —Sheri Castle, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2024

In this recipe adapted from his cookbook The Broad Fork, chef Hugh Acheson turns ramps into a simple jam thickened with powdered pectin. —Hugh Acheson, Saveur, 3 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

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