fatten

verb

fat·​ten ˈfa-tᵊn How to pronounce fatten (audio)
fattened; fattening fa-tə-niŋ How to pronounce fatten (audio)
ˈfat-niŋˈ

transitive verb

1
a
: to make fat, fleshy, or plump
especially : to feed (an animal) for slaughter
b
: to make more substantial
2
: to make fertile

intransitive verb

: to become fat
fattener
ˈfa-tə-nər How to pronounce fatten (audio)
ˈfat-nər
noun

Examples of fatten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those who struggle to fatten their birds have their pay docked. Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 20 Jan. 2025 Taxpayers and policymakers need to know how much governments such as the city, schools and transit agencies fattened themselves on federal COVID-19 money. David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 Thus Trump paradoxically fattened the Federal Register to some extent (and did have certain regulatory inclinations of his own). Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 The term, which is a translation from Chinese and refers to the slow process of fattening up a pig before slaughtering it, was likely created by the scammers themselves. Matt Burgess, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fatten 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatten was circa 1552

Dictionary Entries Near fatten

Cite this Entry

“Fatten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatten. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

fatten

verb
fat·​ten ˈfat-ᵊn How to pronounce fatten (audio)
fattened; fattening ˈfat-niŋ How to pronounce fatten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become fat
fattener noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fatten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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