greaten: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / ArchaicLiterary, Poetic, or Archaic
Quick answer
What does “greaten” mean?
To make or become greater in size, quantity, intensity, or importance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make or become greater in size, quantity, intensity, or importance.
Less commonly, to increase in size or extent; to magnify or amplify; to augment or enhance the qualities of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; the word is equally rare and archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Same connotations of antiquity and formality in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low and virtually identical in both British and American corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “greaten” in a Sentence
[S] greatens (intransitive)[S] greatens [O] (transitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “greaten” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- As night fell, the gloom seemed to greaten around the traveller.
- The silence in the hall greatened with anticipation.
American English
- The storm's fury began to greaten as we took shelter.
- Such acts only greaten the divide between our communities.
adverb
British English
- N/A (not used as adverb)
American English
- N/A (not used as adverb)
adjective
British English
- N/A (not used as adjective)
American English
- N/A (not used as adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only encountered in historical or literary analysis, not in contemporary academic prose.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “greaten”
- Using it in modern contexts where 'increase' or 'grow' is expected.
- Confusing it with 'gratin' (a culinary dish).
- Misspelling as 'graten' or 'greatened'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a real word with historical usage, but it is now considered archaic or literary. It is rarely used in contemporary speech or writing.
The most common and neutral synonyms are 'increase' and 'grow'. For a more intense meaning, 'magnify' or 'intensify' are better choices.
Yes, historically it could be used both ways (e.g., 'The noise greatened' - intransitive; 'It greatened the noise' - transitive).
No. As a language learner, you should be aware of its meaning if you encounter it in older texts, but for your own active vocabulary, you should use its more common synonyms like 'increase', 'grow', or 'enhance'.
To make or become greater in size, quantity, intensity, or importance.
Greaten is usually literary, poetic, or archaic in register.
Greaten: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪt(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪt(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common use”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GREAT' + '-EN' (a verb ending meaning 'to make or become'). To make something GREAT is to GREATEN it.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOTION (the quantity/quality moves to a greater state); IMPORTANCE IS SIZE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'greaten' most appropriately used?