thinning

Everyday

1. Thinning means becoming thinner or less thick. tree →
2. Thinning hair is hair that is getting less, as some people's does when they get older. tree →
3. In gardening, thinning (out) means pulling up some young plants so the others have room to grow. tree →
4. A crowd or traffic that is thinning is getting smaller. tree →

In the lessons

In gardening and science lessons: thinning seedlings so each has space, light and water. In everyday life: «Grandad's hair is thinning». In geography: thinning ice in the Arctic, a thinning ozone layer. In paint and cooking: thinning paint or sauce with water.

Examples

• Grandad's hair is thinning on top. tree →
• We are thinning the carrot seedlings so they can grow big. tree →
• The crowd was thinning after the concert. tree →
• Scientists worry about the thinning ice in the Arctic. tree →
• Add water for thinning the paint. tree →
• The trees were thinning as we got higher up the mountain. tree →
• Traffic is thinning now that rush hour is over. tree →

Note

Double «n»: thin → thinning, thinned. Opposite: thickening. «Thinning out» in gardening is a careful job; you keep the strongest plants.