Ferment Definition & Meaning

ferment
noun
  1. a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced new leadership"; "social unrest"
  2. a substance capable of bringing about fermentation
  3. a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol
verb
  1. be in an agitated or excited state; "The Middle East is fermenting"; "Her mind ferments"
  2. work up into agitation or excitement; "Islam is fermenting Africa"
  3. cause to undergo fermentation; "We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content"; "The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats"
  4. go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out"

Synonyms for ferment

agitation noun

a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

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fermentation noun

a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced new leadership

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
fermenting noun

a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances

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sour adj

smelling of fermentation or staleness having a sharp biting taste one of the four basic taste sensations

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turn noun

a circular segment of a curve; "a bend in the road

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unrest noun

a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced new leadership

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zymolysis noun

a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances

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zymosis noun

a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances

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"Ferment" in song lyrics

See how ferment is used in real songs:

  • "And just a whiff of her ferment"
    Blackalicious — Powers
  • "Mais je t'affirme que seuls, ils la ferment !"
    Saian Supa Crew — Police

Words that rhyme with ferment

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Usage tips for "ferment"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "ferment" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for ferment to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with ferment ↔ Synonyms for ferment 🔬 Words containing ferment

Frequently asked questions

What does ferment mean?
a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced new leadership"; "social unrest" a substance capable of bringing about fermentation a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol be in an agitated or excited state; "The Middle East is fermenting"; "Her mind ferments" work up into agitation or excitement
What part of speech is ferment?
Ferment is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does ferment have?
Ferment has 7 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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