macerate
C1/C2Formal/Technical/Literary
Definition
Meaning
To soften or break down a solid substance by soaking it in a liquid, often until it is pulpy or disintegrates.
Figuratively, to cause to become thin or emaciated; to subject to prolonged physical or mental suffering.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core culinary/chemical meaning is neutral, while the figurative meaning (emaciation/suffering) is emotionally charged and literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning difference. The culinary use may be slightly more common in modern UK food writing, while the biological/technical use is universal.
Connotations
Identical connotations across varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects. Primarily found in specialized texts (culinary, scientific, literary).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
macerate something (in something)be maceratedmacerate for (a period)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific; the word itself is used literally or metaphorically.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in contexts like food/beverage production: 'The botanicals are macerated to extract flavour.'
Academic
Used in biology, chemistry, histology, and food science: 'The samples were macerated in acid for cell separation.'
Everyday
Very rare. Most familiar in cooking shows/recipes: 'Macerate the berries with sugar for a quick compote.'
Technical
Standard term in laboratory protocols and industrial processes for softening by immersion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You need to macerate the dried fruit in brandy overnight for the Christmas pudding.
- The prolonged hunger began to macerate the prisoner's body.
American English
- Macerate the citrus zest in vodka to make your own extract.
- His spirit was macerated by years of constant criticism.
adverb
British English
- The fruit was maceratingly soft after 48 hours.
- No standard adverbial form is commonly used.
American English
- No standard adverbial form is commonly used.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The macerated strawberries formed a delicious syrup.
- He was found in a macerated state after weeks in the wilderness.
American English
- Use the macerated cherries as a topping for ice cream.
- The pathologist noted the macerated condition of the tissue.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too advanced for A2)
- Soak the raisins in rum to make them soft. (Concept introduced with simpler synonym)
- For the sauce, let the berries macerate in sugar and lemon juice for an hour.
- The histologist used a chemical solution to macerate the connective tissue, isolating the individual cells for study.
- Years of guilt had macerated his resolve, leaving him indecisive and frail.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MACERating machine that soaks and softens things. Or, 'To make it ACE, you must MACERATE' (soak it well).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIQUID IS A DISSOLVING AGENT / SUFFERING IS A LIQUID THAT WASTES AWAY SUBSTANCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'мацерировать' (which is a direct cognate but very bookish) or 'размачивать' (more everyday for 'soak'). The figurative 'to waste away' is closer to 'истощать(ся)'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'masticate' (to chew) or 'marinate' (specifically for flavouring food). Incorrect preposition: 'macerate with' instead of 'macerate in'.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is 'macerate' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Marinate' specifically means to soak food in a seasoned liquid (marinade) to flavour and sometimes tenderise it. 'Macerate' is broader: it means to soften or break down by soaking in any liquid, and is used beyond cooking (e.g., in biology). In cooking, 'macerate' often implies soaking in a liquid that draws out the food's own juices (like sugar on fruit), not necessarily adding strong external flavours.
Yes, but only in a figurative, often literary sense, meaning to cause to become weak or emaciated, either physically or mentally. Example: 'The constant stress macerated her enthusiasm.' It is not a common everyday term for people.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. It is common in specific technical fields (food science, biology, histology) and in sophisticated cooking writing. The average native speaker might understand it from context but use simpler synonyms like 'soak' or 'soften' in daily life.
Yes. 'Maceration' is the standard noun for the process or state (e.g., 'the maceration of fruit', 'tissue maceration'). 'Macerator' refers to a machine that grinds and softens waste (e.g., a food waste macerator).