condense
B2-C1Formal / Academic / Scientific
Definition
Meaning
To make something more compact or concentrated, typically by removing excess liquid or air, or to express information in fewer words.
To change from a gaseous to a liquid state; to shorten a piece of text or speech while retaining its essential meaning; to increase the density or concentration of a substance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies a deliberate process of reduction or concentration, moving from a more diffuse, lengthy, or vaporous state to a denser, shorter, or more concentrated one. It is often used to describe the process of summarizing text or the physical process of cooling vapor into liquid.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core usage. The spelling of past tense/participle ('condensed') and related noun ('condensation') are identical.
Connotations
Slightly more common in technical/scientific contexts than in everyday conversation in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[transitive] condense something (into something)[intransitive] something condenses (into something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “boil down to”
- “cut to the chase”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In business, 'condense' is used for summarizing lengthy reports into executive summaries.
Academic
In academic writing, it describes summarizing complex arguments or the physical process in chemistry/physics.
Everyday
In everyday life, it refers to steam fogging up a window or making a recipe more concentrated.
Technical
Primarily used in chemistry/physics for phase change from gas to liquid, or in computing for data compression.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The cold glass caused the water vapour to condense.
- Could you condense your thesis abstract to 200 words?
- The meeting notes were condensed into a single-page summary.
American English
- Steam condenses on the bathroom mirror after a hot shower.
- The editor asked her to condense the chapter by half.
- The fog condensed into droplets on the windshield.
adverb
British English
- This paragraph is written too condensedly for a general audience.
- The report was condensedly worded.
American English
- The information was presented condensedly on the fact sheet.
- He spoke condensedly, covering years in minutes.
adjective
British English
- She bought a tin of condensed soup for the recipe.
- He gave a condensed account of the events.
American English
- The recipe calls for a can of sweetened condensed milk.
- Please provide a condensed summary of the findings.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In winter, your breath condenses in the cold air.
- I like condensed milk in my coffee.
- The author condensed the long story into a short film.
- Clouds form when water vapour condenses high in the sky.
- The professor asked us to condense our research papers into 500-word abstracts.
- As the gas cooled, it began to condense into a liquid.
- The committee's verbose proposal was skillfully condensed into a concise action plan without losing critical nuance.
- In the apparatus, the vapour is condensed out of the mixture using a Liebig condenser.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dense, thick forest (CONDENSE) created when many trees are packed tightly together, just as information or vapour is packed tightly.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE LIQUIDS (to condense an argument), INFORMATION IS MATTER (to condense a report).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not to be confused with 'to condone' (попустительствовать).
- The direct translation 'конденсировать' is highly technical; in most contexts, 'сгущать', 'уплотнять', or 'сокращать' is more natural.
- The adjective 'condensed' in 'condensed milk' is a fixed term: 'сгущённое молоко'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'condense' to mean 'make something very small' without the nuance of concentration or summarization (e.g., 'He condensed the car' is wrong).
- Confusing 'condense' (make denser) with 'condescend' (patronize).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is 'condense' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its primary scientific meaning relates to phase change (gas to liquid), it is very commonly used metaphorically for text or information (to condense a report, a summary).
The main noun forms are 'condensation' (the process or the droplets formed) and 'condenser' (a technical device). 'Condensed' also functions as an adjective (e.g., condensed milk).
'Condense' implies concentration and shortening, often by removing parts. 'Compress' implies pressing together to reduce volume. 'Contract' primarily means to become smaller or draw together, often used for muscles or legal agreements.
Yes, especially in scientific contexts. For example: 'The steam condenses on the window.' (Intransitive) vs. 'She condensed the chapter.' (Transitive).