Words / B2

k-uh-n-DENS/kənˈdens/

To condense is to make a gas become liquid, or to make a text shorter by keeping the main points: condense the article; water condenses. Summarise is the text twin; evaporate is the opposite in science. Condense the article to 80 words, then keep the named figure. Mix-up: condescend; dense. Do not write condense for adding water to juice (that is dilute).

Meaning

To make a gas become liquid, or to make a text shorter by keeping the main points.

Examples

• “Condense the article to 80 words, then keep the named figure.”
• “Water vapour condensed on the flask, which is the science sense.”

Good to know

condense + text; condense (of vapour); condensation. Text twin: summarise. Opposite (science): evaporate. Trap: dilute / condescend. Exams, chemistry, and geography. Shorten a text, or turn vapour to liquid — specify.

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