# thicken

/ˈθɪkən/ (US) · /θˈɪkən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thicken
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

to become more solid or dense. You use this when a liquid like soup or sauce gets thicker as it cooks or when a person's voice changes.

For teachers: to become more dense, viscous, or compact in texture. Often describes the physical change of a liquid or the vocal change in a person's voice.

## Examples

- The soup will thicken as it cools down.
- The chef added a bit of flour to the sauce to help it thicken and coat the pasta better.
- As the storm approached, the atmosphere began to thicken with a sense of impending danger, making the air feel heavy and oppressive to the hikers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.