Language Research

thick · adjective

/θɪk/Full view

Word family

Nouns: thickness

Adjectives: thick

Verbs: thicken

Adverbs: thickly

thick (NOT THIN)

B1 Something that is thick is larger than usual between its opposite sides.

Dictionary examples:

a thick rope

a thick layer of dust

She picked up a thick volume and began to read out loud.

a thick sweater/coat

The walls are two feet thick.

Learner example:

I have to wear thick clothes. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Arabic)

thick (CLOSE TOGETHER)

B1 growing close together and in large amounts

Dictionary examples:

thick forest

thick dark hair

Learner example:

I was looking [at] a land of moor, m[a]rsh, and thick forest. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

thick (SMOKE, ETC.)

B2 difficult to see through

Dictionary example:

Thick, black smoke was pouring out of the chimney.

Learner example:

We tried to walk [down] the stairs but the smoke was just getting thicker and thicker so we had to climb up on the roof. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

thick · noun

/θɪk/

through thick and thin

C2 If you support or stay with someone through thick and thin, you support or stay with them in both easy and difficult situations.

Dictionary example:

She'd stuck by Neil through thick and thin.

Learner example:

As I had neither friends nor parents who could stand by me through thick and thin, this diary meant a lot to me. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)