thickener: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency, specialized term.Formal, technical, culinary, industrial.
Quick answer
What does “thickener” mean?
A substance that is added to a liquid to make it thicker or more viscous.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A substance that is added to a liquid to make it thicker or more viscous.
Any agent, device, or process that increases the density, consistency, or viscosity of a material.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related words (e.g., thicken vs thicken) is identical.
Connotations
Predominantly neutral, technical. In culinary contexts, it has the same practical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “thickener” in a Sentence
[Thickener] + for + [liquid/substance] (e.g., a thickener for soups)[Add/Use] + [thickener] + to + [liquid]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thickener” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You need to thicken the custard slowly over a low heat.
- The plot began to thicken in the second act.
American English
- Thicken the stew with a little cornstarch slurry.
- The fog started to thicken as night fell.
adverb
British English
- The snow was falling thick and fast.
- He spread the butter thickly on the toast.
American English
- The rumours were flying thick and quick after the announcement.
- Slice the cheese thickly for the sandwich.
adjective
British English
- We need a thicker consistency; add more flour.
- He picked up a thick book from the shelf.
American English
- The paint should be a bit thicker for this technique.
- She sliced a thick piece of sourdough bread.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the food manufacturing business, selecting the right thickener is crucial for product texture.
Academic
The study analysed the rheological properties of various polysaccharide-based thickeners.
Everyday
I need to buy some cornflour to use as a thickener for this gravy.
Technical
The industrial process employs a centrifugal thickener to concentrate the slurry before filtration.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thickener”
- Using 'thickener' to refer to a person who makes things thick (not standard).
- Misspelling as 'thickner' or 'thikener'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I will thickener the sauce' – incorrect; correct form: 'I will thicken the sauce').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is countable. You can have one thickener or several different thickeners.
Yes, it is used in various industries like paint manufacturing, cosmetics, and paper production to describe substances that increase viscosity.
In home cooking, flour and cornstarch (cornflour in the UK) are the most common thickeners.
The verb form is 'to thicken'. A thickener is the substance that performs the action of thickening.
A substance that is added to a liquid to make it thicker or more viscous.
Thickener is usually formal, technical, culinary, industrial. in register.
Thickener: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθɪkənə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθɪkənər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a THICK king (THICKener) sitting in his soup, making it all thick and heavy.
Conceptual Metaphor
A thickener is a DENSITY INCREASER; it is a TOOL FOR ADDING BODY/SUBSTANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In an industrial wastewater treatment context, a 'thickener' most likely refers to: