# thicker

/ˈθɪkɝ/ (US) · /θˈɪkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thicker
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. greater width or depth

adjective · CEFR A2

having a larger distance between two sides than something else.

For teachers: denoting a greater measurement between opposite surfaces or a larger diameter than a reference object.

- You should wear a thicker coat because it is snowing outside.
- The architect specified a thicker grade of glass for the ground-floor windows to improve both insulation and security against potential intruders.

### 2. less watery

adjective · CEFR B1

describing a liquid that is more solid or flows more slowly.

For teachers: referring to a fluid with higher viscosity or a more dense consistency.

- The sauce became thicker after I let it cook for ten more minutes.
- By reducing the stock over a high flame, the chef achieved a much thicker consistency that coated the back of a spoon perfectly.

### 3. more crowded

adjective · CEFR B2

having more things or people close together in one place.

For teachers: characterised by a higher density or concentration of constituent elements.

- The forest grew thicker as we walked further away from the path.
- As the humidity rose, the fog became noticeably thicker, reducing visibility to less than ten metres for the approaching vessels.

### 4. in a more dense way

adverb · CEFR B2

in a way that creates a deeper or more crowded layer.

For teachers: the comparative adverbial form, indicating a more dense or frequent distribution.

- The snow began to fall thicker and faster as night approached.
- The paint must be applied thicker on the exterior surfaces to ensure the wood is fully protected from the coastal salt air.

## Examples

- This winter coat is much thicker than my old one.
- The chef simmered the sauce for another ten minutes until it became noticeably thicker and coated the spoon.
- As the hikers ascended into the higher altitudes, the fog grew thicker, eventually obscuring the trail markers and forcing the group to rely on their compasses.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.