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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | thicce |
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thick1 S2 W2
comparative thicker, superlative thickest
comparative thicker, superlative thickest1 if something is thick, there is a large distance or a larger distance than usual between its two opposite surfaces or sides [≠ thin]: 
a thick oak doora thick slice of homemade bread He was wearing thick glasses. short thick fingers thick wool socks (=socks that are heavy and warm) If you want a thicker blanket, there are more here in the closet. The meat is done when the thickest part turns from pink to white.
not thin
a thick oak doora thick slice of homemade breadHe was wearing thick glasses.short thick fingersthick wool socks (=socks that are heavy and warm)If you want a thicker blanket, there are more here in the closet.The meat is done when the thickest part turns from pink to white.2 measuring a particular distance between two opposite sides or surfaces of something How thick should the glass in the tank be? This layer of brain tissue is no thicker than 2 mm. ➔ see usage note wide1
measurement
How thick should the glass in the tank be?This layer of brain tissue is no thicker than 2 mm.3 growing very close together or having a lot of leaves [= dense]: birds hiding in the thick undergrowth
trees/bushes etc
HBPbirds hiding in the thick undergrowth thick with The walls were thick with ivy.
The walls were thick with ivy.4 filling the air, and difficult to see through or breathe in [= dense]: thick fog
smoke/cloud etc
thick fog5 almost solid, and therefore flowing very slowly, or not flowing at all : For a thicker gravy, add more flour. The paint is too thick.
liquid
For a thicker gravy, add more flour.The paint is too thick.6 having a lot of hair or fur : She ran her fingers through her thick brown hair.
hair/fur
She ran her fingers through her thick brown hair.7 a thick person is stupid : He's a nice guy, but he's a bit thick.
stupid
British English informalHe's a nice guy, but he's a bit thick. (as) thick as two short planks (=very stupid)
8
voice
a) if someone has a thick accent, the way they speak shows clearly which particular place or part of a country they come from
b) if someone's voice is thick, it is not as clear or high as usual, for example because they are upset : Bill's voice was thick and gruff.
Bill's voice was thick and gruff. thick with Her voice was thick with emotion.
Her voice was thick with emotion.9 containing a lot of people or things : The cod were so thick in the water that they caught thousands very quickly.
large amount
especially writtenThe cod were so thick in the water that they caught thousands very quickly. thick with The roads were thick with holiday traffic.
The roads were thick with holiday traffic.10 to be present or available in large amounts or numbers [≠ thin on the ground]: Cheap houses aren't as thick on the ground as they used to be.
be thick on the ground
British EnglishCheap houses aren't as thick on the ground as they used to be.12 if two people are as thick as thieves, they are very friendly with each other and seem to share a lot of secrets, making other people think they are hiding or planning something : Lately Nick and Lou have been as thick as thieves.
friendly
be (as) thick as thieves
Lately Nick and Lou have been as thick as thieves.13 to hit someone or be hit on the head, as a punishment : Any more cheek from you and you'll get a thick ear.
give somebody a thick ear/get a thick ear
British English spokenAny more cheek from you and you'll get a thick ear.15 used to say something is a little unfair or annoying
(it's) a bit thick
British English old-fashionedWORD CHOICE: 
WORD CHOICE: 
wide, thick, broadWide is used to talk about the distance across something such as a road or river. It is also used to talk about the distance from one side to the other of an object • a doorway two metres wideThick is usually used to talk about the distance between the two largest surfaces of an object • The steel doors are four inches thick.Broad can often be used instead of wide, but it is slightly literary • broad, graceful avenuesBroad is always used with shoulders and back • a big man with broad (NOT wide) shouldersWide is used with nouns such as range, variety, and choice to say that something includes a lot of different things.Broad is used with nouns such as outline, picture, and description to say that a description is general rather than specific. ➔ See also wide
WORD CHOICE: wide, thick, broadWide is used to talk about the distance across something such as a road or river. It is also used to talk about the distance from one side to the other of an object • a doorway two metres wideThick is usually used to talk about the distance between the two largest surfaces of an object • The steel doors are four inches thick.Broad can often be used instead of wide, but it is slightly literary • broad, graceful avenuesBroad is always used with shoulders and back • a big man with broad (NOT wide) shouldersWide is used with nouns such as range, variety, and choice to say that something includes a lot of different things.Broad is used with nouns such as outline, picture, and description to say that a description is general rather than specific. ➔ See also wide
