English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb

fatten

FA-tuhn

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Fatten (verb) means to make an animal or person fatter, often by feeding them richly. Example: “Farmers fatten the pigs before taking them to market.”

verb

1

To make an animal or person fatter, often by feeding them richly.

"Farmers fatten the pigs before taking them to market."

"We must fatten the turkey in time for Thanksgiving."

2

To make something bigger or thicker, especially a fund or amount of money.

"The bonus helped fatten his savings account nicely."

"The news spread, about the bastard caterer who was toying with their religious sentiments, trampling on their beliefs, polluting their beings, all for the sake of fattening his miserable wallet." — Rohinton Mistry, A Fine Balance (1995)

How to use fatten

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make (or become) fatter or larger.

Common pairings

fatten up fatten the herd fatten a bank account

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Third person singular: fattens
Past tense: fattened

Test yourself on “fatten” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Farmers _____ the pigs before taking them to market.

Etymology

From "fat" plus the verb-forming suffix "-en".

Synonyms

fat plump fill out flesh out plump out fatten up fatten out

Related words

round exactly oil rich fat thin thick elaborate

Rhymes for fatten

batten flatten

See all rhymes for fatten →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fatten” mean?

The word “fatten” means to make an animal or person fatter, often by feeding them richly. In plain terms, to make (or become) fatter or larger.

How do you pronounce “fatten”?

“Fatten” is pronounced FA-tuhn (/ˈfætən/ in IPA).

How do you use “fatten” in a sentence?

Here is “fatten” used in a sentence: “Farmers fatten the pigs before taking them to market.”

What part of speech is “fatten”?

“Fatten” is a verb.

How many meanings does “fatten” have?

“Fatten” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make an animal or person fatter, often by feeding them richly.

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