How Do You Spell THICKEN?

Pronunciation: [θˈɪkən] (IPA)

The word "thicken" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈθɪk.ən/. This means that the "th" sound is followed by a short "i" sound, represented by "i" and pronounced as in the word "pin". The "c" is pronounced as a "k" sound, and the "e" is a silent letter. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "en" sound, as in the word "den". "Thicken" is commonly used to describe the process of making something thicker or more viscous.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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THICKEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Thicken is a verb that refers to the process of making something denser, more viscous, or more concentrated by adding a substance or increasing the amount of an existing substance. It involves the transformation of a liquid or a mixture into a thicker consistency or texture.

    When a liquid is thickened, it becomes more resistant to flow and more gel-like. This can be achieved by adding certain substances like flour, cornstarch, or gelatin, which act as binding agents to absorb liquid and create a thicker consistency. For example, when making a sauce, butter or flour can be used to thicken it, giving it a creamier texture and enhanced flavor.

    Thickening can also apply to substances other than liquids. For instance, a solution or a mixture can be thickened by reducing the amount of solvent or by adding a filler material, thereby increasing its overall density.

    In a figurative sense, thicken can also describe the process of making something more complex, intricate, or difficult to understand. It involves adding more details, layers, or components to enhance the depth or richness of a concept, narrative, or argument.

    Overall, thicken is a versatile verb that encompasses the physical process of making a liquid more viscous, as well as metaphorically adding complexity or intricacy to various aspects of life, art, or knowledge.

  2. • To strengthen; to confirm.
    • To make close or dense; to render less thin; to become dark or obscure; to become more numerous; to press or be crowded.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for THICKEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for THICKEN

Etymology of THICKEN

The word "thicken" has its roots in Old English. It is derived from the verb "thiccian", which means "to make thick or dense". The Old English form was influenced by the Middle English word "thiknen" before evolving into its modern spelling and pronunciation. The term is ultimately related to the Old Norse word "þekkja", meaning "to thicken", which further strengthens its Germanic origins.

Idioms with the word THICKEN

  • thicken sth up The idiom "thicken sth up" means to make something more dense or viscous by adding a thickening agent or increasing the concentration of the substance. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate making a story or plot more complex or intricate.

Similar spelling words for THICKEN

Conjugate verb Thicken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have thickened
you would have thickened
he/she/it would have thickened
we would have thickened
they would have thickened
I would have thicken
you would have thicken
he/she/it would have thicken
we would have thicken
they would have thicken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been thickening
you would have been thickening
he/she/it would have been thickening
we would have been thickening
they would have been thickening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would thicken
you would thicken
he/she/it would thicken
we would thicken
they would thicken

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be thickening
you would be thickening
he/she/it would be thickening
we would be thickening
they would be thickening

FUTURE

I will thicken
you will thicken
he/she/it will thicken
we will thicken
they will thicken

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be thickening
you will be thickening
he/she/it will be thickening
we will be thickening
they will be thickening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have thickened
you will have thickened
he/she/it will have thickened
we will have thickened
they will have thickened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been thickening
you will have been thickening
he/she/it will have been thickening
we will have been thickening
they will have been thickening

IMPERATIVE

you thicken
we let´s thicken

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to thicken

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was thickening
you were thickening
he/she/it was thickening
we were thickening
they were thickening

PAST PARTICIPLE

thickened

PAST PERFECT

I had thickened
you had thickened
he/she/it had thickened
we had thickened
they had thickened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been thickening
you had been thickening
he/she/it had been thickening
we had been thickening
they had been thickening

PRESENT

I thicken
you thicken
he/she/it thickens
we thicken
they thicken

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am thickening
you are thickening
he/she/it is thickening
we are thickening
they are thickening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

thickening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have thickened
you have thickened
he/she/it has thickened
we have thickened
they have thickened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been thickening
you have been thickening
he/she/it has been thickening
we have been thickening
they have been thickening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it thicken

SIMPLE PAST

I thickened
you thickened
he/she/it thickened
we thickened
they thickened