What does thickest mean?
Thickest is the superlative form of the adjective thick and the adverb thickly. It describes something that has greater thickness, density, concentration, or intensity than something else: a thickest layer, the thickest fog, or the thickest voice. The word is especially useful when making comparisons, because it identifies the greatest degree within a particular set or situation. Its meaning depends on context. In describing material, it refers to physical thickness; in describing fog, smoke, or sauce, it can suggest density or concentration; and in describing a voice or accent, it may indicate a strong or conspicuous quality. Although the form is common in both British and American English, the phrase “thick accent” can sometimes sound disparaging when used about a person’s speech, so context and tone matter. As an adverb, thickest indicates the point or degree of greatest thickness, as in “the snow was thickest near the trees.”
Having the greatest thickness, density, concentration, or intensity.
"The thickest part of the forest is inaccessible during the rainy season."
The precise meaning follows the noun: physical size, density, concentration, or conspicuous intensity.
In the manner or to the greatest degree of thickness or density.
"The fog was thickest just before dawn."
This use is especially common in expressions identifying the point or condition of greatest thickness.
From thick fog to the thickest book on the shelf, one simple ending turns an everyday adjective into a superlative.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thickest come from?
Thickest is a regular superlative of thick, formed by adding the ending -est to the adjective. English thick descends from Old English þicce, meaning “thick” or “dense,” and the modern form developed through Middle English. Related words appear in other Germanic languages, including Dutch dik and German dick, reflecting a shared Germanic origin.
Related word forms
How thickest is actually used
As an adjective, thickest is used in comparisons involving physical thickness, density, concentration, or conspicuous intensity. As an adverb, it commonly follows a verb or appears in expressions such as “the fog was thickest.” In informal contexts, forms such as “thickest accent” can sound conspicuous or strongly regional rather than merely pronounced.
Easily confused with thickest
Thicket is a noun meaning a dense group of trees or shrubs, whereas thickest is the superlative form of the adjective thick.