verb
ferment
fuh-MEHNT
verb
1
To undergo a chemical change caused by yeast or bacteria, often turning sugars into alcohol or acid.
"The grape juice was left to ferment in oak barrels for a year."
"Cabbage ferments naturally to become sauerkraut."
2
To stir up unrest, excitement, or trouble.
"Rumours of layoffs began to ferment discontent among the staff."
noun
1
A state of excitement, agitation, or unrest.
"The country was in a ferment of political change."
How to Use Ferment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chemical process where yeast or bacteria break down sugars — used literally for brewing/food, and figuratively for stirred-up unrest.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "foment," which means to deliberately stir up trouble — ferment as a verb can happen naturally, foment implies someone actively causing it.
Easily confused with
foment
Common pairings
left to ferment
a ferment of ideas
ferment discontent
Word Forms
fermented past tense, ferments plural, ferments singular
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The grape juice was left to _____ in oak barrels for a year.
Etymology
From Latin fermentum, "substance that causes fermenting," related to fervere, "to boil" — the same root behind fervent.