fortify

[ fawr-tuh-fahy ]
See synonyms for: fortifyfortifiedfortifiesfortifying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.
  1. to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.

  2. to furnish with a means of resisting force or standing strain or wear: to fortify cotton with nylon.

  1. to make strong; impart strength or vigor to: to fortify oneself with a good breakfast.

  2. to increase the effectiveness of, as by additional ingredients: to fortify a diet with vitamins; to fortify a lotion with lanolin.

  3. to strengthen mentally or morally: to be fortified by religious faith.

  4. to confirm or corroborate: to fortify an accusation with facts.

  5. Nutrition. to add one or more ingredients to (a food) to increase its nutritional content.

  6. to add alcohol to (wine or the like).

verb (used without object),for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.
  1. to set up defensive works; erect fortifications.

Origin of fortify

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English fortifien, from Middle French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificāre, equivalent to Latin forti(s) “strong” + -ficāre -fy

Other words for fortify

Other words from fortify

  • for·ti·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • for·ti·fi·er, noun
  • for·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·for·ti·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • non·for·ti·fy·ing, adjective
  • re·for·ti·fy, verb (used with object), re·for·ti·fied, re·for·ti·fy·ing.
  • un·der·for·ti·fy, verb (used with object), un·der·for·ti·fied, un·der·for·ti·fy·ing.
  • un·for·ti·fi·a·ble, adjective

Words Nearby fortify

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fortify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fortify

fortify

/ (ˈfɔːtɪˌfaɪ) /


verb-fies, -fying or -fied (mainly tr)
  1. (also intr) to make (a place) defensible, as by building walls, digging trenches, etc

  2. to strengthen physically, mentally, or morally

  1. to strengthen, support, or reinforce (a garment, structure, etc)

  2. to add spirits or alcohol to (wine), in order to produce sherry, port, etc

  3. to increase the nutritious value of (a food), as by adding vitamins and minerals

  4. to support or confirm: to fortify an argument with facts

Origin of fortify

1
C15: from Old French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificāre, from Latin fortis strong + facere to make

Derived forms of fortify

  • fortifiable, adjective
  • fortifier, noun
  • fortifyingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012