thickening: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral; used in both everyday and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “thickening” mean?
the process or result of becoming thicker in consistency or dimension.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the process or result of becoming thicker in consistency or dimension.
1. A substance added to a liquid to make it thicker. 2. A specific part of something (e.g., a body part) that becomes wider or denser. 3. Figuratively, an increase in intensity or complexity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences (e.g., 'thickening agent' vs. 'thickening agent').
Connotations
Slight preference for 'thickening' in culinary contexts in the US; more common in industrial/technical contexts in the UK.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “thickening” in a Sentence
[thickening] of [noun][adjective] thickeninguse [as a] thickeningVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thickening” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The custard is thickening nicely on the hob.
- Fog began thickening over the moors.
American English
- The gravy is thickening on the stove.
- The storm clouds are thickening overhead.
adverb
British English
- The sauce reduced thickeningly.
American English
- The plot developed thickeningly.
adjective
British English
- Add a thickening agent to the mixture.
- She noticed a thickening lump on her skin.
American English
- Cornstarch is a common thickening ingredient.
- He had a thickening waistline.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may refer to market consolidation.
Academic
Common in chemistry, food science, and meteorology.
Everyday
Mostly used in cooking and describing weather (fog).
Technical
Key term in food technology, material science, and medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thickening”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thickening”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thickening”
- Using 'thickening' as an adjective (e.g., 'a thickening soup' should be 'a thickening soup' is correct as a modifier, but 'the soup is thickening' is verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can describe anything becoming thicker, including objects, body parts, or abstract concepts like plots.
Yes, it can function as a participial adjective (e.g., 'a thickening agent').
'Thickening' generally implies an increase in viscosity or width, while 'condensation' specifically refers to gas turning to liquid or making something more concise.
It's a well-known, slightly literary idiom used in both casual and formal storytelling contexts to indicate increasing complexity.
the process or result of becoming thicker in consistency or dimension.
Thickening: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθɪkənɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθɪkənɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the plot thickens”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
THICKenING - Think of adding INGredients to make a soup THICK.
Conceptual Metaphor
INCREASE IS UP/THICK (e.g., 'the plot thickens' meaning complexity increases).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'thickening' LEAST likely to be used?