American English

How to pronounce thick

adjectiveB1Common word
THIHK

/θɪk̚/

One syllable.

Having a large distance from one side to the other.

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

adjective

Having a large distance from one side to the other.

This sweater is thick and warm.

The walls are thick enough to block the noise.

Common phrases & grammar

thick walls · a thick coat · a thick book · a thick layer

thick + noun

noun + be + thick

adjective

Having many parts or things close together, with little empty space.

A thick fog covered the road.

The hedge is thick enough to block the view.

Common phrases & grammar

thick hair · a thick forest · thick fog · thick smoke

thick + noun

noun + be + thick

adjective

Not flowing easily because it contains a lot of solid material.

The soup is too thick; add some water.

Simmer the sauce until it is thick.

Common phrases & grammar

thick soup · thick sauce · thick cream · thick paste

noun + be + thick

make + noun + thick

adjectiveinformalless common

Having a wide body, especially wide hips and thighs; often used positively.

She has a thick, athletic build.

Those jeans fit her thick thighs well.

Good to know

In this sense, it can sound positive or negative depending on the context.

Common phrases & grammar

a thick build · thick thighs

have + a + thick + build

thick + body-part noun

Useful expressions

thick-skinned

Not easily upset by criticism or insults.

You need to be thick-skinned in this job.

lay it on thick

To praise or show emotion too much, often to persuade someone.

The salesman laid it on thick.

Related words & forms

The final consonant doubles before -er and -est: thicker, thickest.