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thick

adj. · n.
US //ˈθɪk// UK //θˈɪk// thick
  1. 1 wide or deep (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    having a large distance between two sides; not thin.

    having a relatively great distance between opposite sides or surfaces.

    Example

    The walls of the old castle are very thick to keep the heat inside.

    Example

    The architect specified thick glass panels for the storefront to ensure both thermal insulation and security against potential break-ins.
  2. 2 viscous or heavy (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    describing a liquid that does not flow easily.

    having a semi-solid or viscous consistency; resistant to flow.

    Example

    The soup was so thick that the spoon could almost stand up in it.

    Example

    The mechanic drained the thick, blackened oil from the engine, noting that the vehicle had clearly missed several scheduled services.
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  1. 3 dense or crowded (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    having many things or people close together.

    growing or appearing in close proximity; densely packed.

    Example

    We had a hard time walking through the thick forest.

    Example

    A thick fog descended over the valley, reducing visibility to less than ten metres and forcing the airport to cancel all morning flights.
  2. 4 stupid (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    not quick to learn or understand things.

    slow to learn or understand; lacking intelligence.

    Example

    I felt a bit thick when I couldn't solve the simple puzzle.

    Example

    He was tired of being treated as if he were thick just because he spoke with a heavy regional accent.
  3. 5 very friendly (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    being very close or friendly with someone.

    intimately associated or very friendly; often used in the idiom 'thick as thieves'.

    Example

    Those two have been thick as thieves since they started primary school.

    Example

    The two political rivals were suddenly thick as thieves, leading many to suspect a secret deal had been struck behind closed doors.
  4. 6 the most active part (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the middle of a busy or dangerous situation.

    the most active, intense, or crowded part of a situation or place.

    Example

    The reporter was right in the thick of the action during the protest.

    Example

    In the thick of the negotiations, the lead diplomat remained remarkably calm despite the mounting pressure from both sides.
Origin

From Middle English thikke, from Old English þicce (“thick, dense”), from Proto-West Germanic þikkwī, from Proto-Germanic þekuz (“thick”), from Proto-Indo-European *tégus (“thick”). Cognates Cognate with North Frisian sjok, tjok, tjuk, tschok (“thick”), Saterland Frisian tjuk (“thick”), West Frisian dik, tuuk (“thick”), Central Franconian deck (“thick”), Cimbrian dikh, dikhe (“thick”), Dutch dik (“thick”), German dick (“thick”), Luxembourgish déck (“thick”), Yiddish דיק (dik, “thick”), Danish tyk (“thick”), Elfdalian tiokk (“thick”), Faroese tjúkkur (“thick”), Icelandic þykkur (“thick”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk tjukk, tykk (“thick”), Scanian tjykker (“thick”), Swedish tjock (“thick”); also Cornish and Welsh tew (“thick”), Irish tiubh, tiugh (“thick”), Manx çhiu (“thick”), Scottish Gaelic tiugh (“thick”).

Word family
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