fatten

[ fat-n ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make fat.
2. to feed (animals) abundantly before slaughter.
3. to enrich:

   to fatten the soil; to fatten one's pocketbook.

4. Cards.
   1. Poker. to increase the number of chips in (a pot).
   2. Pinochle. to play a card that scores high on (a trick) expected to be taken by a partner.

verb (used without object)

1. to grow fat.

fatten

/ ˈfætən /

verb

1. to grow or cause to grow fat or fatter
2. tr to cause (an animal or fowl) to become fat by feeding it
3. tr to make fuller or richer
4. tr to enrich (soil) by adding fertilizing agents

Derived Forms

• ˈfattenable, adjective
• ˈfattener, noun
• ˈfattening, adjective

Other Words From

• fatten·a·ble adjective
• fatten·er noun
• over·fatten verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of fatten¹

First recorded in 1545–55; fat + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Adam worries over his physique, which he has tried to mold with Doritos, squats and a drug designed to fatten up livestock, “specifically sheep.”

From Los Angeles Times

Haitians have broken this social compact, the viral story goes, even going so far as to kill local ducks — ducks! — without first force-feeding them to fatten their livers, the latter being the civilized, Michelin-star method of killing and consuming the animal.

From Salon

"Did the vibes fatten you up or are they emotional Ozempic? I guess you’re right. You can’t feed your family on vibes. You can only feed your family on immigration fearmongering."

From Salon

Mountain goats deal with heavy snow, and have a short window of time to fatten up before the thick of winter.

From Seattle Times

Ratner said Pier 39 has become “essentially a gas station” for migrating sea lions, where — safe from natural predators such as orcas and great white sharks — they can rest, sunbathe and fatten up before going down to the Channel Islands for some summer love.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• augment
• broaden
• build up
• swell