condense

[kuhn-dens]

verb (used with object)

condensed, condensing 

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)

condensed, condensing 

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

Other Word Forms

• condensable adjective
• condensability noun
• overcondense verb
• precondense verb
• recondense verb
• uncondensing 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.

Example Sentences

That’s where her mottos come in — short, memorable phrases that condensed technique into a moment you could carry from the screen to your own kitchen.

From Salon

This interview was conducted in Spanish, translated, edited and condensed for clarity.

From Los Angeles Times

As the smoke rises, water vapor in the air condenses at high altitudes, creating what is known as a pyrocumulus cloud, or fire cloud.

From Los Angeles Times

Knox didn’t coach Van Patten through every second of the grueling interrogation scene depicted in the second episode, which condenses 53 hours of ruthless questioning into one harrowing scene.

From Los Angeles Times

He praised the "constructive atmosphere of mutual respect" of the "neighbourly" talks, and then launching into a condensed history of Alaska's past as a Russian territory.

From BBC

Related Words

• compress 
• curtail 
• shorten 
• summarize 
• thicken