What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
curdle
Example
The milk curdled when I added the lemon juice. [curdled: past tense]
Example
The soup curdled because it was left on the stove for too long. [curdled: verb]
thicken
Example
I need to thicken the sauce with some cornstarch. [thicken: verb]
Example
The soup will thicken if you let it simmer for another 10 minutes. [thicken: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thicken is more commonly used than curdle in everyday language. Thicken is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while curdle is less common and typically used to describe the spoiling of dairy products.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between curdle and thicken?
Both curdle and thicken are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
