thick

1 of 3

adjective

1
a
: having or being of relatively great depth or extent from one surface to its opposite
a thick plank
b
: heavily built : thickset
2
a
: close-packed with units or individuals
the air was thick with snow
b
: occurring in large numbers : numerous
c
: viscous in consistency
thick syrup
d
e
: marked by haze, fog, or mist
thick weather
f
: impenetrable to the eye : profound
thick darkness
g
: extremely intense
thick silence
3
: measuring in thickness
12 inches thick
4
a
: imperfectly articulated : indistinct
thick speech
b
: plainly apparent : decided
a thick French accent
c
: producing inarticulate speech
a thick tongue
5
: obtuse, stupid
too thick to understand
6
: associated on close terms : intimate
was quite thick with his pastor
7
: exceeding bounds of propriety or fitness : excessive
called it a bit thick to be fired without warning
thickish adjective
thickly adverb

thick

2 of 3

adverb

: in a thick manner : thickly

thick

3 of 3

noun

1
: the most crowded or active part
in the thick of the battle
2
: the part of greatest thickness
the thick of the thumb
Phrases
thick on the ground

Examples of thick in a Sentence

Adjective a thick layer of ice a thick slice of ham pizza with a thick crust a bodybuilder with a thick, short body The planks were two inches thick. The log was 12 inches thick. a dog with thick fur She has thick, curly hair. The fog was thick this morning. Adverb Apples hung thick on the trees. Noun in the thick of winter many Northerners are dreaming of tropical islands
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Inside, instead of a traditional flimsy insole, there’s a removable thick layer of PEBA foam resting directly on the carbon fiber plate. Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024 This was achieved through the installation of a stronger carbon fiber cross-brace between the front shock towers and a thicker undertray bolted beneath the engine. Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Adverb
For a slab of only a few inches (5 cm) thick, your line only needs to be about one-eighth of an inch (one-half cm) deep. Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023 Cucinelli, however, isn’t one to play the purist: the collection also sees the designer dabble in fiber blends including a baby alpaca, wool and polyamide crewneck qnd a thick-looking mélange rollneck that is disarmingly composed of virgin wool, cashmere and silk. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2022
Noun
The key to building up a thick in sticky glaze is to add a layer of the honey-soy mixture every few minutes under the broiler. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 Instead of observing from the safety of a movie theater chair, these games plop horror fans right into the frightening thick of things. Theara Coleman, theweek, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for thick 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English thikke, from Old English thicce; akin to Old High German dicki thick, Old Irish tiug

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thick was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near thick

Cite this Entry

“Thick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thick. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

thick

1 of 3 adjective
1
: having or being of great depth or extent from one surface to its opposite
a thick plank
2
: heavily built : thickset
3
a
: having units closely packed together : dense
a thick forest
b
: occurring in large numbers : numerous
flies were thick in the barn
c
: viscous sense 2
thick syrup
4
: marked by haze, fog, or mist
thick weather
5
: measuring in thickness
12 inches thick
6
a
: not clearly spoken
thick speech
b
: plainly obvious
a thick French accent
7
: stupid sense 1a
too thick to understand
8
: associated on close terms : intimate
those two are really thick
9
: going beyond what is proper or enough
the flattery was a bit thick
thickish adjective
thickly adverb

thick

2 of 3 noun
1
: the most crowded or active part
in the thick of things
2
: the part of greatest thickness
the thick of the thumb

thick

3 of 3 adverb
: in a thick manner : so as to be thick : thickly
misfortunes came thick and fast

More from Merriam-Webster on thick

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