Meaning & use
consolidate
Last updated
UK/kənˈsɒlɪdeɪt/
US/kənˈsɑːlɪdeɪt/
Meanings
verbtransitivebusiness
To join several things into one so that they work better.
Grammar: Takes an object: consolidate debts.
Patterns
- consolidate something into something
She consolidated three loans into one payment.
The company consolidated its offices in one building.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To make something stronger or more secure.
Grammar: With an object: consolidate power.
Patterns
- consolidate your position
The party consolidated its hold on power.
Regular review helps consolidate what you learned.
Word forms
| third person singular | consolidates |
|---|---|
| past tense | consolidated |
| past participle | consolidated |
| -ing form | consolidating |
Common combinations
- consolidate power
- He moved to consolidate power.
- consolidate debt
- Many people consolidate debt.
- consolidate gains
- The team wanted to consolidate its gains.
- consolidate operations
- They consolidated operations.
Synonyms and how they differ
- merge
- Joins two or more into one.
- strengthen
- Stresses making firmer.
- unify
- Focuses on making one whole.
Opposites
Word family
- consolidation noun
- the act of combining or strengthening
- consolidated adjective
- combined
Commonly confused: consolidate or console?
consolidate vs console
Console means to comfort someone.
Practice
She decided to ___ her three credit card debts into a single loan.
Choose one answer.
Consolidate means to combine into one. Console means to comfort.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “consolidate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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