verb · 18 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈfɔːtɪfaɪ/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ˈfɔɹtəˌfaɪ/
General-American:[-ɾə-]
CMU ARPABET:F AO1 R T IH0 F AY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something); to strengthen.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To support (one's or someone's opinion, statement, etc.) by producing evidence, etc.; to confirm, to corroborate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients, especially minerals or vitamins.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
Soy milk is often fortified with calcium.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To impart fortitude or moral strength to (someone or their determination, or something); to encourage.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To make (something) structurally strong; to strengthen.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.), or put (it or them) in a defensive position.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
To secure and strengthen (a place, its walls, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
verb
Meaning 9
To provide (a city, a fortress, an army, etc.) with equipment or soldiers.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, transitive
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
verb
Meaning 10
To add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
The U.S. is girding for a conflict in the Middle East
troops are building up on the Iraqi border
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: arm, build up, gird
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: rearm, re-arm, forearm
18
verb
Meaning 18
enclose by or as if by a fortification
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: fort
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: enclose, close in, inclose, shut in
Narrower terms: trench, embattle
History
Etymology
From Late Middle English fortifien, fortfien (“to strengthen (a castle, etc.) from attack; to strengthen (an army, etc.); to strengthen (a person), aid, support; to reinforce, support; to improve; to increase the efficacy of”), from Old French fortifier (modern French fortifier), from Late Latin fortificāre (“to strengthen, fortify”), from Latin fortis (“powerful, strong”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bherǵh- (“to ascend, rise up; to be elevated or up high”) or *dherǵh- (“to be firm; robust, strong”)) + -ficō (suffix forming causative or factitive, or other verbs).
Across languages
Translations
104 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
усилвам
(usilvam)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Bulgarian:
подсилвам
(podsilvam)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Chinese Mandarin:
增強 /增强
(zēngqiáng)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Chinese Mandarin:
振作
(zhènzuò)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Chinese Mandarin:
壯膽 /壮胆
(zhuàngdǎn)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Danish:
forstærke
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Finnish:
terästää
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Finnish:
vahvistaa
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
French:
renforcer
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
German:
stärken
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Irish:
daingnigh
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Irish:
neartaigh
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Macedonian:
за́сили
(zásili)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Māori:
whakapūioio
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Portuguese:
fortalecer
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Romanian:
fortifica
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Romanian:
întări
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Russian:
уси́ливать
(usílivatʹ)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Russian:
уси́лить
(usílitʹ)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Russian:
укрепля́ть
(ukrepljátʹ)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Russian:
укрепи́ть
(ukrepítʹ)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Russian:
подкрепля́ть
(podkrepljátʹ)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Russian:
подкрепи́ть
(podkrepítʹ)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Russian:
подде́рживать
(poddérživatʹ)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Russian:
поддержа́ть
(podderžátʹ)
— to give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something) — see also strengthen
Bulgarian:
подсилвам
(podsilvam)
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Bulgarian:
подсиля
(podsilja)
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Chinese Mandarin:
強化 /强化
(qiánghuà)
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Danish:
berige
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Finnish:
terästää
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Finnish:
vahventaa
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Finnish:
vahvistaa
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
French:
supplémenter
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
German:
anreichern
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Italian:
arricchire
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Macedonian:
збо́гати
(zbógati)
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Macedonian:
до́даде
(dódade)
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Portuguese:
fortalecer
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Romanian:
îmbogăți
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Spanish:
enriquecer
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Swedish:
berika
— to increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients
Bulgarian:
укрепявам
(ukrepjavam)
— to make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces
Bulgarian:
укрепвам
(ukrepvam)
— to make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces
Bulgarian:
укрепя
(ukrepja)
— to make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces
Finnish:
linnoittaa
— to make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces
Russian:
укреплять
(ukrepljatʹ)
— to make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces
Russian:
укрепить
(ukrepitʹ)
— to make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces
Bulgarian:
укрепявам
(ukrepjavam)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Bulgarian:
укрепвам
(ukrepvam)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Bulgarian:
укрепя
(ukrepja)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Chinese Mandarin:
加強 /加强
(jiāqiáng)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Chinese Mandarin:
設防 /设防
(shèfáng)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Danish:
befæste
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Esperanto:
fortigi
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Esperanto:
fortikigi
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Finnish:
vahvistaa
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Finnish:
linnoittaa
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
French:
fortifier
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
German:
befestigen
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
German:
verstärken
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Ancient Greek:
ὀχυρόω
(okhuróō)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Ido:
fortifikar
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Ido:
fortigar
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Korean:
강하게 하다
(ganghage hada)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Latin:
fortificō
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Latin:
corrōborō
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Latin:
ēmūniō
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Latin:
firmo
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Latin:
munio
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Latin:
praemunio
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Macedonian:
за́цврсти
(zácvrsti)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Macedonian:
за́крепи
(zákrepi)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Middle English:
garnysshen
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Norwegian Bokmål:
befeste
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Polish:
umocnić
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Portuguese:
fortificar
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Portuguese:
fortalecer
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Quechua:
pukaray
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Romanian:
fortifica
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Russian:
укрепля́ть
(ukrepljátʹ)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Russian:
укрепи́ть
(ukrepítʹ)
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Spanish:
fortalecer
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Swedish:
befästa
— to increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.); to put (it or them) in a defensive position
Bulgarian:
укрепявам
(ukrepjavam)
— transitive: to secure and strengthen (a place, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works
Bulgarian:
укрепвам
(ukrepvam)
— transitive: to secure and strengthen (a place, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works
Bulgarian:
укрепя
(ukrepja)
— transitive: to secure and strengthen (a place, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works
Finnish:
linnoittaa
— transitive: to secure and strengthen (a place, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works
Portuguese:
fortificar
— transitive: to secure and strengthen (a place, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works
Bulgarian:
подсилвам
(podsilvam)
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Bulgarian:
подсиля
(podsilja)
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Chinese Mandarin:
加強 /加强
(jiāqiáng)
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Chinese Mandarin:
強化 /强化
(qiánghuà)
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Danish:
spidse
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Dutch:
versterken
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Finnish:
terästää
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Finnish:
väkevöidä
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
German:
verstärken
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Romanian:
alcooliza
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Swedish:
spetsa
— to add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content
Bulgarian:
укрепявам се
(ukrepjavam se)
— intransitive: to install fortifications or other military works; to put up a defensive position
Bulgarian:
укрепвам се
(ukrepvam se)
— intransitive: to install fortifications or other military works; to put up a defensive position
Bulgarian:
укрепя се
(ukrepja se)
— intransitive: to install fortifications or other military works; to put up a defensive position
Finnish:
linnoittautua
— intransitive: to install fortifications or other military works; to put up a defensive position
Portuguese:
fortificar
— intransitive: to install fortifications or other military works; to put up a defensive position
