thickener

UK: /ˈθɪkənəʳ/ US: (thik′ə nər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

thick•en•er  (thik′ə nər), n. 

1. something that thickens.
2. Chemistry an apparatus for the sedimentation and removal of solids suspended in various liquids.

• thicken + -er¹ 1645–55

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

thick•en /ˈθɪkən/   v. 

1. to (cause to) become thick or thicker: [no object]
   When the soup thickens, shut off the heat.
   [~ + object]
   Thicken the soup by adding flour to it.
2. to become more complicated or confusing:
   [no object] The plot thickens now.

thick•en•er, n. [countable]
thick•en•ing, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

thick•en  (thik′ən), v.t., v.i. 

1. to make or become thick or thicker.
2. to make or grow more intense, profound, intricate, or complex:
   The plot thickens.

• Old Norse thykkna. See thick, -en¹
• late Middle English thiknen 1375–1425