Word
fortify
Phoneticsfor·ti·fy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɔɹtɪˌfaɪ/
UK/fˈɔːtɪfˌaɪ/
Definition
v. to make something stronger or more secure. You use this when you add extra protection to a building or when you strengthen your body with food.
v. to strengthen or reinforce a structure, position, or person. Often used in military contexts to describe the addition of defensive works or in a figurative sense to describe the strengthening of the body or mind.
Examples
“The soldiers fortify the walls with sandbags.”
“The company decided to fortify its defenses against cyber attacks by hiring more security experts.”
“By fortifying the perimeter with trenches and heavy artillery, the general hoped to deter the enemy from attempting a direct assault during the winter months.”
Examples
simple
“The soldiers fortify the walls with sandbags.”
contextual
“The company decided to fortify its defenses against cyber attacks by hiring more security experts.”
complex
“By fortifying the perimeter with trenches and heavy artillery, the general hoped to deter the enemy from attempting a direct assault during the winter months.”
Real-World Examples
“Rodman, Swanson, and Wilson are again the attackers in focus, but Alyssa Thompson will look to fortify her case to be Hayes’ starting left winger.” “But Christian Rood of LeydenJar says companies like his can fortify Europe's position in what has become a global contest.” Etymology
From Late Middle English fortifien, fortfien (“to strengthen (a castle, etc.) from attack; to strengthen (an army, etc.); to strengthen (a person), aid, support; to reinforce, support; to improve; to increase the efficacy of”), from Old French fortifier (modern French fortifier), from Late Latin fortificāre (“to strengthen, fortify”), from Latin fortis (“powerful, strong”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- (“to ascend, rise up; to be elevated or up high”) or dʰerǵʰ- (“to be firm; robust, strong”)) + -ficō (suffix forming causative or factitive, or other verbs).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/fortify