fortify
verb /ˈfɔːtɪfaɪ/
/ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪ/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they fortify | /ˈfɔːtɪfaɪ/ /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪ/ |
| he / she / it fortifies | /ˈfɔːtɪfaɪz/ /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪz/ |
| past simple fortified | /ˈfɔːtɪfaɪd/ /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪd/ |
| past participle fortified | /ˈfɔːtɪfaɪd/ /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪd/ |
| -ing form fortifying | /ˈfɔːtɪfaɪɪŋ/ /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪɪŋ/ |
- fortify something (against somebody/something) to make a place more able to resist attack, especially by building high walls
- a fortified town
- They fortified the area against attack.
- fortify somebody/yourself (against somebody/something) to make somebody/yourself feel stronger, braver, etc.
- He fortified himself against the cold with a hot drink.
- Although fortified by its election success, the government remains cautious in its policies.
- to make a feeling or an attitude stronger
- The news merely fortified their determination.
- [usually passive] to increase the strength or quality of food or drink by adding something to it
- (be) fortified Sherry is fortified wine (= wine with extra alcohol added).
- (be) fortified with something cereal fortified with extra vitamins
Word Originlate Middle English: from French fortifier, from late Latin fortificare, from Latin fortis ‘strong’.