French word

engraisser

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃gʁese/

Meaning

  • verbfatten

Example

Le fermier va engraisser les porcs.

The farmer is going to fatten the pigs.

Illustration for engraisser (fatten)

More examples

Il va engraisser son chat en lui donnant trop de croquettes.

He will fatten his cat by giving it too much kibble.

Core concept

A farmer giving rich feed to pigs so their bodies build up weight and fat.

Common phrases

  • engraisser quelqu'un

    fatten ___

  • engraisser son chat

    fatten his cat

Similar words

nourrir: To give food to an animal or person.
alimenter: To supply food or nutrients for growth.
grossir: To gain weight.

Definition in French

Donner à un animal de la nourriture pour lui faire prendre du poids, surtout en élevage.

Word origin

Engraisser was formed in French from graisse, 'fat', with en-, and graisse ultimately traces to Latin crassus, 'thick'.

Usage tips

  • Engraisser is transitive for fattening an animal, while s'engraisser means to grow fat; direct use for a person can sound insulting.

Other meanings

  • fertilizeverb

Opposites

  • amaigrirmake ___ thinnerverb
  • mincirlose weightverb

Related words

  • engraissementfatteningnoun
  • engraissanthaving a fattening effectadjective

Word lists with this word