condense

[ kuhn-dens ]

verb (used with object)

, con·densed, con·dens·ing.

1. to make more dense or compact; reduce the volume or extent of; concentrate.

   Synonyms: consolidate, compress

   Antonyms: expand

2. to reduce to a shorter form; abridge:

   Condense your answer into a few words.

   Synonyms: abbreviate, abstract, epitomize, digest

3. to reduce to another and denser form, as a gas or vapor to a liquid or solid state.

verb (used without object)

, con·densed, con·dens·ing.

1. to become denser or more compact or concentrated.
2. to reduce a book, speech, statement, or the like, to a shorter form.
3. to become liquid or solid, as a gas or vapor:

   The steam condensed into droplets.

condense

/ kənˈdɛns /

verb

1. tr to increase the density of; compress
2. to reduce or be reduced in volume or size; make or become more compact
3. to change or cause to change from a gaseous to a liquid or solid state
4. chem to undergo or cause to undergo condensation

Derived Forms

• conˈdensable, adjective
• conˌdensaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• over·con·dense verb overcondensed overcondensing
• precon·dense verb precondensed precondensing
• recon·dense verb recondensed recondensing
• uncon·densing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of condense¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Middle French condenser, from Latin condēnsāre, from con- con- + dēnsāre “to thicken,” verb derivative of dēnsus dense

Word History and Origins

Origin of condense¹

C15: from Latin condēnsāre, from dēnsāre to make thick, from dēnsus dense

Synonym Study

See contract.

Related Words

• compress
• curtail
• shorten
• summarize
• thicken