Definition

1. Noun:
   • The dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width: The measure of how thick something is, from one side to the opposite side.
   • Resistance to flow: The quality of a liquid or fluid being dense, viscous, or not flowing easily.
   • Used of a line or mark: The width or breadth of a drawn or written line.
   • Indistinct articulation: The quality of speech being unclear, muffled, or slurred.
   • A layer or sheet of material: A single one of several superimposed layers.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Dimension):
  • The thickness of the glass is 5 millimeters.
  • Measure the thickness of the book's spine.
• Noun (Resistance to Flow):
  • The thickness of the paint made it difficult to spread.
  • The sauce should have the thickness of heavy cream.
• Noun (Line or Mark):
  • Adjust the pen to change the line's thickness.
  • The thickness of the border indicates its importance on the map.
• Noun (Indistinct Articulation):
  • Judging from the thickness of his speech, he had been drinking heavily.
  • The thickness in her voice suggested she had a cold.
• Noun (Layer):
  • The wall was built using two thicknesses of brick.
  • Apply a thin thickness of glue to the surface.

Advanced Usage

• "To a thickness of...": Used to specify a precise measurement.
  • Roll out the dough to a thickness of half an inch.
• In technical/scientific contexts: Often used to describe material properties.
  • The film's optical properties depend on its thickness.

Variants and Related Words

• Thick (adj): Having a large distance between opposite sides; dense or viscous.
  • The thick fog reduced visibility.
• Thicken (verb): To make or become thick or thicker.
  • Add cornstarch to thicken the gravy.
• Thickening (noun): The process of becoming thick, or a substance used for this purpose.
  • The sauce requires a thickening agent.

Synonyms

• Depth: For the dimension through an object.
• Viscosity: For resistance to flow in fluids.
• Width: For the breadth of a line.
• Slurring: For indistinct speech.
• Layer, Ply: For a single sheet of material.

Related Phrases

• Through-thickness: A technical term referring to a property measured perpendicularly through a material's layers.
  • The through-thickness strength of the composite material was tested.
• Wall thickness: A common engineering measurement.
  • The pipe's wall thickness must meet safety standards.

Related Idioms

• Lay it on thick: To exaggerate praise, flattery, or criticism excessively.
  • He was laying it on thick with compliments to get the promotion.

Noun

1. resistance to flow
2. used of a line or mark
3. indistinct articulation
   • judging from the thickness of his speech he had been drinking heavily
4. the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width