Explanation at your level:
Thickness is how wide something is. If you have a book, the thickness is the distance from the front cover to the back cover. A thin book has small thickness. A big book has big thickness. You can measure the thickness with a ruler.
We use the word thickness to describe the size of an object. For example, you can talk about the thickness of a piece of wood or a slice of cake. If something is very thick, it has a lot of thickness. If it is very thin, it has very little thickness.
Thickness is a noun used to describe the measurement between two opposite sides. It is common in everyday situations like home improvement or cooking. For instance, you might check the thickness of a wall before hanging a heavy shelf, or you might discuss the thickness of a sauce you are cooking for dinner.
Beyond simple measurements, thickness can describe the density or viscosity of a substance. In professional settings, engineers discuss the thickness of materials to ensure structural integrity. In a figurative sense, you might hear about the 'thickness of the fog' or 'the thickness of the crowd,' implying a high density or concentration of elements.
In advanced usage, thickness often appears in technical and academic discourse. It relates to the spatial dimension of solid objects, but also to the consistency of fluids. Writers may use it figuratively to describe atmosphere or intensity, such as 'the thickness of the tension in the room.' Understanding the nuance between 'thickness' and 'density' is key for C1 learners, as they are often used in distinct scientific or artistic contexts.
At the mastery level, thickness functions as a multifaceted concept covering physical, metaphorical, and technical domains. Etymologically, it bridges the gap between simple spatial extension and complex density. Literary authors use the word to evoke sensory experiences, describing the 'thickness of the air' to convey a sense of oppression or heat. In material science, it is a critical parameter for defining tolerances. Mastering its use requires an appreciation for both its literal, quantifiable nature and its ability to describe qualitative states of being.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Thickness is a measurement.
- It refers to depth or density.
- It is a common, useful noun.
- It comes from Old English.
When we talk about thickness, we are usually describing the measurement of an object from one side to the opposite side. Think of a slice of bread; the distance from the top crust to the bottom crust is its height, but the distance from the front face to the back face is its thickness.
Beyond physical objects, we use this word to describe the density of liquids or materials. If you are making a sauce and it is too runny, you might add flour to increase its thickness. It is a very versatile word used in everything from construction to cooking.
The word thickness comes from the Old English word thicce, which meant 'dense' or 'crowded.' Over centuries, it evolved through Middle English to become the standard way to describe the dimension of an object.
It shares roots with the Proto-Germanic thikkuz, which is related to words in other languages like the Dutch dik and the German dick. Historically, it was used to describe both physical objects and the density of crowds or forests, showing that the concept of 'thickness' has always been about how much space or density is packed into an area.
In daily life, thickness is used whenever you need to compare the size of flat objects. You might say, 'The thickness of this paper is perfect for painting.' It is a neutral term, suitable for both casual conversation and technical specifications.
Common collocations include measure the thickness, increase the thickness, and varying thickness. In formal or scientific contexts, you might hear about the thickness of a layer or the wall thickness of a pipe. It is rarely used in slang, making it a safe and professional word to include in your vocabulary.
While 'thickness' itself is a measurement, it appears in several idioms. Through thick and thin means to stay with someone through good times and bad. In the thick of it means being in the middle of a busy or dangerous situation. Thick-skinned describes someone who is not easily offended. Thick as thieves describes people who are very close friends. Finally, thick as a plank is a humorous (though rude) way to say someone is not very smart.
The word thickness is an uncountable noun when referring to the general quality, but it can be countable (thicknesses) when referring to specific measurements of different materials. It is pronounced /ˈθɪk.nəs/ in both British and American English.
The stress is on the first syllable: THICK-ness. It rhymes with words like sickness, quickness, and slickness. When using it in a sentence, it is often preceded by the definite article 'the' or a possessive pronoun like 'its' or 'their'.
Fun Fact
The word has remained remarkably consistent in spelling since Middle English.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'th' sound, short 'i', 'ness' suffix.
Similar to UK, slightly more emphasis on the 'ness'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'th' as 's'
- Misplacing the stress
- Dropping the 's' at the end
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Noun suffixes
thick + ness
Countable vs Uncountable
thickness
Adjective to Noun conversion
thick -> thickness
Examples by Level
The thickness of the book is 5 cm.
thickness = width
Noun usage
This paper has good thickness.
thickness = quality
Noun usage
Check the thickness of the wood.
thickness = measurement
Imperative
I like the thickness of this blanket.
thickness = comfort
Noun usage
The wall has a big thickness.
thickness = size
Noun usage
What is the thickness of the glass?
thickness = dimension
Question form
The soup needs more thickness.
thickness = density
Noun usage
The paint has the right thickness.
thickness = consistency
Noun usage
The thickness of the ice is dangerous.
Please measure the thickness of the metal.
The thickness of the pizza crust is perfect.
We need to increase the thickness of the insulation.
The thickness of the fog made driving hard.
Compare the thickness of these two boards.
The thickness of the fabric keeps me warm.
Does the thickness affect the price?
The thickness of the walls provides good soundproofing.
Engineers must calculate the exact thickness required.
The thickness of the sauce is just right for pasta.
The thickness of the ice layer varies across the lake.
She noted the thickness of the manuscript in her bag.
The thickness of the paint prevents it from dripping.
We adjusted the thickness of the layers in the software.
The thickness of the forest made it hard to walk.
The structural integrity depends on the thickness of the steel.
The thickness of the plot makes the book a slow read.
He was surprised by the thickness of the ancient stone walls.
The thickness of the atmosphere affects light refraction.
We need to maintain a consistent thickness throughout the print.
The thickness of the crowd made it impossible to move.
The thickness of the ice was measured using sonar.
Her thick-skinned attitude helped her survive the criticism.
The thickness of the narrative layers creates a complex experience.
The geological survey analyzed the thickness of the sediment.
The thickness of the silence in the room was palpable.
We must account for the thickness of the material in the design.
The thickness of the paint application dictates the drying time.
The thickness of the plot thickens as the mystery unfolds.
The thickness of the membrane determines the rate of diffusion.
The thickness of the book belies its simple message.
The sheer thickness of the historical archives is overwhelming.
The thickness of the air in the valley felt suffocating.
The thickness of the brushstrokes reveals the artist's intensity.
The thickness of the ice sheet has significant climate implications.
The thickness of the wall acts as a thermal barrier.
The thickness of the legal document was a deterrent to readers.
The thickness of the forest canopy blocked all sunlight.
The thickness of the plot is a testament to the author's skill.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"through thick and thin"
During good times and bad times.
We have been friends through thick and thin.
idiomatic"in the thick of it"
In the middle of a busy situation.
I was in the thick of it during the meeting.
idiomatic"thick-skinned"
Not easily offended.
You need to be thick-skinned in this job.
neutral"thick as thieves"
Very close friends.
They are thick as thieves these days.
casual"thick as a plank"
Not very smart.
Don't ask him, he's thick as a plank.
rude"the plot thickens"
The situation is becoming more complex.
The plot thickens as we find more clues.
literaryEasily Confused
Both are dimensions.
Width is side-to-side; thickness is front-to-back.
The width of the table vs the thickness of the wood.
Both describe size.
Depth is often vertical; thickness is often horizontal.
The depth of the hole vs the thickness of the wall.
Both relate to 'thick'.
Density is mass per volume.
The density of the metal vs the thickness of the bar.
Same root.
Thicken is a verb.
Thicken the sauce vs the thickness of the sauce.
Sentence Patterns
The thickness of [noun] is [measurement].
The thickness of the glass is 5mm.
Measure the thickness of [noun].
Measure the thickness of the board.
The [adjective] thickness of [noun] is perfect.
The uniform thickness of the paint is perfect.
Increase the thickness of [noun].
Increase the thickness of the insulation.
Varying thickness of [noun] creates [result].
Varying thickness of the glass creates light patterns.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7/10
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Thick is an adjective; thickness is the noun.
Width usually refers to the shorter side of a flat object.
Redundant phrasing.
Thick is an offensive way to call someone stupid.
Always ends in -ness.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a wall that grows thicker every time you walk past it.
When to use
Use it for physical objects and consistency of liquids.
Cultural Insight
Used in idioms like 'through thick and thin'.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a noun; use 'thicken' for the action.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'th' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'thick' as a noun.
Did You Know?
It is related to the German word 'dick'.
Study Smart
Group it with other dimension words like width and depth.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
THICK-NESS: Think of a thick book that has a Ness (monster) inside.
Visual Association
A ruler measuring a very fat slice of bread.
Word Web
Défi
Measure three objects in your room and write down their thickness.
Origine du mot
Old English
Original meaning: Dense, crowded
Contexte culturel
Avoid using 'thick' to describe people's bodies or intelligence unless being informal/rude.
Commonly used in DIY, cooking, and technical manuals.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- Measure the thickness
- Check the thickness
in the kitchen
- Check the thickness of the sauce
- Adjust the thickness
at work
- Technical thickness
- Material thickness
travel
- Thickness of the ice
- Thickness of the fog
Conversation Starters
"How do you measure the thickness of something?"
"Do you prefer thin or thick books?"
"Have you ever had to change the thickness of a sauce?"
"What is the thickest object you have ever seen?"
"Do you think being 'thick-skinned' is a good trait?"
Journal Prompts
Describe an object in your room and its thickness.
Write about a time you were 'in the thick of it'.
Why is the thickness of a wall important in construction?
How does the thickness of a liquid change how it tastes?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsThey are similar but often refer to different dimensions.
Yes, it means the density of the people.
Thicknesses.
No, 'thicken' is the verb.
Usually with a ruler or calipers.
Yes, it implies they are not smart.
Yes, it describes viscosity.
Old English 'thicce'.
Teste-toi
The ___ of the book is 2cm.
We need the noun form here.
Which word means the same as thickness?
Depth is a synonym for thickness.
Thickness is always a countable noun.
It is usually uncountable unless referring to specific types.
Word
Signification
These are common idioms.
I measured the thickness.
Score : /5
Summary
Thickness is the measurement of how deep or dense an object is.
- Thickness is a measurement.
- It refers to depth or density.
- It is a common, useful noun.
- It comes from Old English.
Memory Palace
Imagine a wall that grows thicker every time you walk past it.
When to use
Use it for physical objects and consistency of liquids.
Cultural Insight
Used in idioms like 'through thick and thin'.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a noun; use 'thicken' for the action.
