thickness
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the distance between the front and back or top and bottom surfaces of something.
the dimension of an object measured through its smallest side, perpendicular to its length and width.
Simple“The thickness of the walls helps keep the house warm in winter.”
In context“The engineer calculated the required thickness of the steel plating to ensure it could withstand the pressure of the deep-sea environment.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
how heavy, solid, or sticky a liquid is.
the degree of viscosity or density in a fluid or semi-solid substance.
Simple“Cook the sauce for ten minutes until it reaches the right thickness.”
In context“The chef adjusted the thickness of the gravy by adding a small amount of cornstarch mixed with cold water.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a single layer of a material.
a single layer or stratum of a substance, often used when multiple layers are applied.
Simple“Use a double thickness of paper so the ink doesn't bleed through.”
In context“The winter coat featured a triple thickness of insulation, making it suitable for Arctic expeditions.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
the quality of being slow to understand things.
the state of being intellectually slow or dull-witted.
Simple“I couldn't believe his thickness when he failed to see the obvious joke.”
In context“The manager was often frustrated by the sheer thickness of the new recruits who struggled with basic safety protocols.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is primarily British and can be quite insulting; use 'slow' or 'unintelligent' in professional contexts.
SynonymsstupiditydensenessAntonyms
From Middle English thikkenesse, thiknesse, from Old English þicnes (“thickness, viscosity, density, hardness; obscurity, cloud, darkness; thicket; depth, a thick body, anything thick or heavy”), from Proto-West Germanic *þikkwīnassī (“thickness”), equivalent to thick + -ness. Cognate with West Frisian tsjokkens (“thickness”), Old High German dickinessī, dikkinissi, diknissi (“thickness, density”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English crassitude (“thickness”) from Latin crassitūdō (“thickness”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.