Definition

To become larger or heavier, especially in terms of body weight.

Example

After a few months of eating more, he began to fatten noticeably.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you noticed how some pets just seem to fatten up so quickly?

Yeah, my cat has been eating non-stop lately!

I guess it’s easy for them to fatten up if they don’t get enough exercise.

For sure! I need to take her out for more walks.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To make someone or something gain weight or become plump.

Example

Farmers often fatten their livestock before selling them.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I heard that feeding the chickens extra corn can really fatten them up.

That's true! They get so much bigger and healthier that way.

I might try that for my garden, too, to fatten up the soil.

Root Explanation

Fatten → It is formed from "fat" (from Old English *fǣtt*, meaning having a large amount of fat or flesh) and "-en" (a suffix used to form verbs indicating to make or become). The word "fatten" means to make or become fat.

Memory Tip

Think of making something 'fat' — the root 'fat' means having a lot of flesh, and '-en' means to make. So, to fatten means to make something fat.

Visually Confused Words