Thickness
/ˈθɪknəs/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe dimension that measures how far something extends through a material.
/ˈθɪknəs/
The measurement or extent of something from one surface to its opposite.
The thickness of the ice on the lake worried the skaters.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a piece of paper. Thickness is how much 'space' it takes up from one side to the other. It's like how tall a stack of pancakes is! Is it thick or thin?
👶 For kids: How big something is from one side to the other like a pancake.
More Examples
We measured the thickness of the wall to see if it was strong enough.
The book had a considerable thickness, making it a hefty read.
How It's Used
"The thickness of the metal plate affects its ability to conduct heat."
"The architect specified a certain thickness for the insulation in the walls."
"The thickness of the blanket kept me warm on the cold night."
The property of being dense or concentrated.
/ˈθɪknəs/
The state or quality of being thick or dense.
The thickness of the fog made it difficult to see.
💡 Simply: When something is thick, it's all packed together. Like when the juice is too thick in a smoothie, or when you put too much glue on paper.
👶 For kids: How 'full' something is, like the juice in your drink is super thick or how much cotton in a cotton ball.
More Examples
The soup had a pleasant thickness, making it very satisfying.
The artist carefully varied the thickness of the paint for artistic effect.
How It's Used
"The thickness of the gravy was just right for the roast."
"The artist used a brush to create a varied thickness in his paint strokes"
"Excessive thickness of the skin may indicate a medical issue."
From Old English *þicnes*, derived from the adjective 'thick' and the suffix '-ness'. It signifies the state or quality of being thick.
The word 'thickness' has been used since the Old English period and has consistently referred to the quality or extent of being thick. It was used to denote the physical dimensions and density of objects and materials.
Memory tip
Think of a thick book; its thickness is how many pages it has between the covers.
Word Origin
"the state of being thick"