Thick

Definition

Thick describes something that has a large distance between its opposite sides or surfaces. It can also mean dense, heavy, or closely packed, and it is used figuratively to refer to stupidity or slowness of understanding.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Adverb
• Noun (archaic or rare)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /θɪk/
• Respelling: thik

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /θɪk/
• Respelling: thik

Etymology

The word "thick" originates from Old English "þicce," meaning "dense or close-set," derived from Proto-Germanic "*þekuz." It is related to Old High German "dick," Dutch "dik," and further traces back to Proto-Indo-European "*teg-" (to cover).

Derivatives

• Thicken (verb)
• Thickness (noun)
• Thickly (adverb)
• Thickset (adjective)
• Thick-skinned (adjective)

Synonyms

• Dense
• Heavy
• Broad

Antonyms

• Thin
• Sparse
• Narrow

Usage

The adjective "thick" is used to describe physical dimensions, density, or figurative meanings. For example, "The walls are very thick, providing excellent insulation."

As an adverb, it describes something densely packed. For example, "The fog lay thick over the fields."

Related Terms

• Dense: Closely packed or compacted.
• Viscous: Having a thick, sticky consistency.
• Opaque: Not transparent or translucent.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Having a large distance between opposite surfaces: Refers to physical dimensions.
  • Example: "The book had thick pages."
• Closely packed or dense: Refers to the concentration of objects or substances.
  • Example: "The forest was so thick that sunlight barely reached the ground."
• Slow to understand (informal): Describes a lack of intelligence or awareness.
  • Example: "He’s a bit thick, but he means well."

Adverb

• Densely or heavily: Refers to something closely packed or concentrated.
  • Example: "Snow fell thick and fast throughout the night."

Noun (archaic or rare)

• A dense or crowded area: Refers to a concentrated section of something.
  • Example: "They were lost in the thick of the forest."