Fatten

/ˈfætən/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To make (someone or something) fat or plump.

Farmers often fatten their livestock before sending them to market.

To provide food or nourishment to increase weight.

In the spring, we help fatten the chickens so they lay more eggs.

To enrich or improve the quality of something.

The new policy was designed to fatten the economy after the recession.

Middle English 'fatten', from fat + -en (verb suffix).

fatten the calves:

To prepare or ready for something significant, often in abundance.

fatten your wallet:

To increase one's wealth or financial resources.

To indulge excessively.

After the holidays, I really fattened on all those treats!

To gain weight quickly.

He was so stressed he started to fatten without realizing it.