Consolidating

kənˈsɒlɪdeɪtɪŋ

verbIntermediate📊CommonAction
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To make something stronger or more secure; to combine a number of things into a single, more effective or coherent whole.

kənˈsɒlɪdeɪt

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To make something stronger or more solid.

The government is consolidating its power in the region.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a bunch of small toy blocks. Consolidating is like building a big, strong tower out of those smaller blocks. You're putting things together to make something better and more stable. Like, putting all your money in one savings account to keep it safe.

👶 For kids: To make things strong by putting them together.

More Examples

2

The company decided to consolidate its debts into a single loan.

3

The teacher consolidated the lessons into a single study guide.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is consolidating its financial position."

Politics

"The new leader is consolidating their power."

2

To become solid or strong; to become more secure or stable.

kənˈsɒlɪdeɪt

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To become more solid or firm.

The company is consolidating its market position.

💡 Simply: Think of wet sand becoming hard on the beach. Consolidating is like something settling and becoming strong. Like when a team is trying to make good decisions to ensure their win.

👶 For kids: To get stronger and more solid.

More Examples

2

The ground will consolidate over time.

3

The financial market is consolidating after the crash.

How It's Used

Finance

"The financial markets are consolidating after a period of volatility."

Geology

"Sediment layers consolidate over time, forming rock."

Tip:Imagine a building settling and becoming firm after construction.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

Consolidate one's gains

To secure and make the best use of any advantages you have acquired.

"After winning the tournament, the team needs to consolidate their gains."

From Latin consolidare, meaning 'to make solid, strengthen'. It developed from the combining of 'con-' (together) + 'solidare' (to make firm). The process of making something more unified.

Used in finance to describe joining small financial institutions into bigger ones. Appeared in political writing to depict taking political and administrative control.

Memory tip

Think of solidifying a block of ice. You're making something firmer and stronger.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to make solid"

consolidate powerconsolidate debtsconsolidate gainsconsolidate a position

Common misspellings

consoildatingconsoladatingconsolodating

Usage

35%Spoken
65%Written