thin out

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Definition

  1. Verb (transitive):

    • To reduce the number, density, or concentration of items in a group or area, making them more spaced out or less crowded.
    • To lessen the strength, flavor, or intensity of a mixture or solution by dilution.

  2. Verb (intransitive):

    • To become less dense, numerous, or frequent; to diminish in number or concentration over space or time.
Usage and Examples

  • Transitive Verb (to make sparse):

    • The gardener needs to thin out the seedlings to give the stronger plants room to grow.
    • We should thin out these old files to create more space in the cabinet.

  • Transitive Verb (to dilute):

    • You can thin out the paint with a little water for a lighter wash effect.
    • Thin out the sauce with some stock if it's too thick.

  • Intransitive Verb (to become sparse):

    • The traffic begins to thin out after we pass the city limits.
    • As we climbed higher, the trees thinned out considerably.
Advanced Usage
  • Used to describe the natural or intentional process of reduction in density.
    • The crowd thinned out as the concert ended.
    • Her hair has *thinned out a lot over the years.*
Variants and Related Words
  • Thin (verb): The base verb, meaning to make or become thin. "Thin out" is a more specific phrasal verb.
  • Thinning (noun/adj): The process or result of becoming less dense. (e.g., , ).
Synonyms
  • Transitive (make sparse): cull, prune, weed out, space out.
  • Transitive (dilute): weaken, dilute, water down.
  • Intransitive (become sparse): diminish, decrease, disperse, scatter.
Phrasal Verbs
  • As a unit, "thin out" is itself a phrasal verb with the meanings defined above. It does not typically separate (e.g., "thin the seedlings out" is acceptable but less common than "thin out the seedlings").
Related Idioms
  • No common idioms are directly formed from this specific phrasal verb. Its meaning is typically literal.
Verb
  1. lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture
    • cut bourbon
  2. become sparser
    • Towards the end of town, the houses thinned out
  3. make sparse
    • thin out the young plants

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