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
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
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
thickly
adverb
1
: the most crowded or active part
in the thick of the battle
2
: the part of greatest thickness
the thick of the thumb
Synonyms
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
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Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Nov. 2023
Altogether, the 16-acre spread, sequestered amid thick woodlands in the Water Mill area, comprises three parcels with a handful of ultra-modern structures designed by the vaunted Manhattan firm 1100 Architect.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2023
With their thick, flame-resistant bark and elevated crowns they are well adapted to wildfire.
—WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023
With its fudge-like texture that’s likened to a pecan pie and a thick layer of buttery crust, this pie delivers the incredible burst of flavor that Milk Bar desserts are known for.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Nov. 2023
Over time, the nails become thick, brittle, and ingrown, causing pain.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
What to Consider: The vest may be uncomfortable if worn over thick outer layers.
—Laura Holt, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023
Its formula with rose water and aloe gently detangles and hydrates, making your hair thicker, less frizzy, and healthier.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023
Counteracting all that fat is an aji criollo, a thick green sauce of garlic, peppers and herbs that thrums with lime juice and vinegar.
—Gabe Hiatt, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
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
The gift boxes were a real standout in our evaluations as well, and our culinary pros especially loved the thick-cut and meaty bacon — no fatty, stingy slices here.
—Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, 17 Feb. 2023
The tank top is also a thick-strapped, cropped style that mimics a sweater vest.
—Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2022
There's a thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel as well as a set of analog gauges.
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 9 Dec. 2022
The homestyle diner serves breakfast and lunch from a scratch kitchen and features daily fresh-baked breads, thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon and freshly squeezed juices.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022
And even Bottega Veneta is into the thick-soled trend.
—Alexis Bennett, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2021
Wipe out the pan and cook the bacon over medium heat until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes for thick-cut bacon.
—Bianca Betancourt, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Sep. 2021
David James, Anchorage Daily News, 6 May 2023
The approach has served them well in their journey to get back above .500 and into the thick of the playoff race.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
The Manhattan judge on Trump’s first indictment, brought by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, has already set a March 24 trial date—the thick of the later presidential primaries.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 8 June 2023
The message is clear: This one-man performance of a monumental work published in the early ’40s, during the bitter thick of World War II, is going to be a leap into the cosmos, maybe into the void.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 Apr. 2023
This was also very much the case during the thick of the pandemic.
—Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2023
The 2024 People’s Choice Awards will air on NBC and E! and stream on Peacock on Sunday, Feb. 18 — which puts the show right in thick of awards season for the first time in years.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 14 June 2023
After Burrow was carted off with a likely season-ending left knee injury, Young and 36-year-old Alex Smith helped Washington beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-9, to stay in the thick of the NFC East race.
—Stephen Whyno, baltimoresun.com, 22 Nov. 2020
Edgin avoids the thick of combat, preferring to play insipid songs on his lute.
—Ed Park, The New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2023
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Adjective
And that meant one less big against one of the bigger, stronger, beefier, thicker teams on SDSU’s schedule.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Nov. 2023
Altogether, the 16-acre spread, sequestered amid thick woodlands in the Water Mill area, comprises three parcels with a handful of ultra-modern structures designed by the vaunted Manhattan firm 1100 Architect.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2023
With their thick, flame-resistant bark and elevated crowns they are well adapted to wildfire.
—WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023
With its fudge-like texture that’s likened to a pecan pie and a thick layer of buttery crust, this pie delivers the incredible burst of flavor that Milk Bar desserts are known for.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Nov. 2023
Over time, the nails become thick, brittle, and ingrown, causing pain.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
What to Consider: The vest may be uncomfortable if worn over thick outer layers.
—Laura Holt, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023
Its formula with rose water and aloe gently detangles and hydrates, making your hair thicker, less frizzy, and healthier.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023
Counteracting all that fat is an aji criollo, a thick green sauce of garlic, peppers and herbs that thrums with lime juice and vinegar.
—Gabe Hiatt, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
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
The gift boxes were a real standout in our evaluations as well, and our culinary pros especially loved the thick-cut and meaty bacon — no fatty, stingy slices here.
—Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, 17 Feb. 2023
The tank top is also a thick-strapped, cropped style that mimics a sweater vest.
—Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2022
There's a thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel as well as a set of analog gauges.
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 9 Dec. 2022
The homestyle diner serves breakfast and lunch from a scratch kitchen and features daily fresh-baked breads, thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon and freshly squeezed juices.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022
And even Bottega Veneta is into the thick-soled trend.
—Alexis Bennett, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2021
Wipe out the pan and cook the bacon over medium heat until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes for thick-cut bacon.
—Bianca Betancourt, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Sep. 2021
Noun
Nearly everything that had ever gone wrong on arctic journeys struck the crew and passengers of the Karluk, and Levy brings readers right into the thick of it.
—David James, Anchorage Daily News, 6 May 2023
The approach has served them well in their journey to get back above .500 and into the thick of the playoff race.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
The Manhattan judge on Trump’s first indictment, brought by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, has already set a March 24 trial date—the thick of the later presidential primaries.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 8 June 2023
The message is clear: This one-man performance of a monumental work published in the early ’40s, during the bitter thick of World War II, is going to be a leap into the cosmos, maybe into the void.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 Apr. 2023
This was also very much the case during the thick of the pandemic.
—Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2023
The 2024 People’s Choice Awards will air on NBC and E! and stream on Peacock on Sunday, Feb. 18 — which puts the show right in thick of awards season for the first time in years.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 14 June 2023
After Burrow was carted off with a likely season-ending left knee injury, Young and 36-year-old Alex Smith helped Washington beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-9, to stay in the thick of the NFC East race.
—Stephen Whyno, baltimoresun.com, 22 Nov. 2020
Edgin avoids the thick of combat, preferring to play insipid songs on his lute.
—Ed Park, The New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Phrases Containing thick
Dictionary Entries Near thick
Cite this Entry
“Thick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thick. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
thick
1 of 3 adjective1
: 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
thickly
adverb
thick
2 of 3 noun1
: 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
Nglish: Translation of thick for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of thick for Arabic Speakers
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