macerate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to soften or separate into parts by steeping in a liquid.
-
to soften or decompose (food) by the action of a solvent.
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to cause to grow thin.
verb (used without object)
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to undergo maceration.
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to become thin or emaciated; waste away.
verb
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to soften or separate or be softened or separated as a result of soaking
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to break up or cause to break up by soaking
macerated peaches
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to become or cause to become thin
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has maceratedperfect 3rd person singular
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have maceratedperfect
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has been maceratingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is maceratingprogressive 3rd person singular
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maceratingparticiple
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am maceratingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been maceratingperfect progressive
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maceratessingular 3rd person
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are maceratingprogressive
Past
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had maceratedperfect
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maceratedparticiple
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were maceratingprogressive plural
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was maceratingprogressive singular
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maceratedsimple
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had been maceratingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of macerate
1540–50; < Latin mācerātus (past participle of mācerāre to make soft, weaken, steep); see -ate 1
Explanation
When you macerate something, you soften it by soaking it in a liquid, often while you're cooking or preparing food. To macerate strawberries, all you have to do is sprinkle sugar on them, which draws out their juices so they become soft and sweet and deliciously saucy. Macerate is sometimes also used to mean "cause to grow thin or weak," or in other words, to make someone feel like a soft, squishy strawberry.
Vocabulary lists containing macerate
A Culinary Vocabulary Sampler
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Silent Spring
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To start, macerate the tomatoes in sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and cornstarch, then drain the excess juices in a separate bowl.
From Salon • Jul. 26, 2022
You might even prefer to macerate fresh berries and use them in place of the compote.
From Washington Post • Dec. 14, 2021
Pour sugar over apricots and let stand for a few hours to macerate.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 30, 2020
On the extreme end, Gravner and Radikon macerate for many months, depending on the vintage.
From New York Times • May 7, 2020
They macerate and digest the leaves, and aid in mixing the decomposed matter with the surface soil.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
