What does concentrated mean?
Concentrated is an adjective describing something that has been made denser, stronger, or more intense by drawing it together or removing what dilutes it. In chemistry and cooking, it refers to substances reduced in volume so their flavour or potency is heightened — think concentrated orange juice or concentrated sulphuric acid. More figuratively, it describes attention, effort, or resources that are directed intently at a single target, as in a concentrated attempt to solve a problem. It can also characterise wealth, populations, or power that are gathered into a small area or held by a small number of people. The word derives ultimately from Latin centrum, meaning the sharp fixed point of a drafting compass, which came to mean centre. Its relatives include central, eccentric, and concentric. Whether applied to acids, gazes, markets, or minds, 'concentrated' consistently conveys intensity achieved through focus.
Made denser, purer, or stronger by removal of water or other diluting matter; or intensely focused or gathered together in one place or direction.
"He gave the puzzle his concentrated attention for a full hour."
Past tense and past participle of 'concentrate': to bring or come together in a single place, or to direct attention or effort intensively toward one thing.
"Industry once concentrated along the river, drawn by cheap water power."
The same Latin word for 'centre' gives us everything from concentrated orange juice to concentric circles — and 'centre' itself traces back to the sharp point of a compass.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of concentrated
Concentrated is the past participle of 'concentrate', formed in the early 17th century from the prefix con- ('together') plus the verb-forming use of Latin centrum, meaning the stationary point of a pair of compasses and hence 'centre'. The word was coined as part of the wave of learned Latinate vocabulary entering English during the Scientific Revolution. Cognates sharing this root include central, eccentric, and centrifugal.
Related word forms
How concentrated is actually used
'Concentrated' is neutral in register and appears freely in both scientific writing (concentrated acid, concentrated solution) and everyday contexts (a concentrated look, a concentrated burst of energy). When describing people's expressions or effort, it often carries a slightly formal or literary tone; 'focused' is the more casual everyday choice.
Easily confused with concentrated
'Concentric' describes shapes sharing the same centre (as in concentric circles), while 'concentrated' means made denser or focused intently on something.