thickness

thickness — 名詞

1. how closely packed or full of matter something is, so that it seems solid, crowd

1.名詞B1
釋義

濃密;稠密

物質緊密聚集的狀態

how closely packed or full of matter something is, so that it seems solid, crowded, or hard to see through — for example, a forest where trees grow very close, or fog so dense that it blocks your view.

例句

The thickness of the forest made it hard for sunlight to reach the ground.

森林的濃密使得陽光難以照到地面。

collocation: thickness of + forest/fog/hair

Sora was surprised by the thickness of his cat's fur after the cold winter.

Sora 對於他的貓在寒冬過後毛髮的濃密感到驚訝。

同義詞
  • density

    more scientific; thickness describes how closely packed parts are, while density also involves weight per unit of space

  • compactness

    formal; focuses on the idea of parts being pressed tightly together

反義詞
  • thinness

    the opposite quality — having few parts spread far apart

文法句型

the thickness of + noun

用法筆記

Uncountable only. Commonly paired with 'of' before the noun describing the dense material (e.g. the thickness of the fog, the thickness of the hair).

2. the distance from one surface of an object to the opposite surface, especially w

2.名詞A2
釋義

厚度

物體兩相對面之間的距離

the distance from one surface of an object to the opposite surface, especially when this is smaller than the object's length or width — for example, knowing that a wall is 20 centimetres from its front face to its back face.

例句

Cole measured the thickness of the wooden plank before cutting it.

Cole 在切割木板之前先量了木板的厚度。

collocation: measure/check the thickness

The old stone wall had a thickness of nearly two metres in some places.

這道古老的石牆在某些地方的厚度將近兩公尺。

同義詞
  • depth

    used for front-to-back or top-to-bottom measurements, but often overlaps with thickness in three-dimensional objects

  • gauge

    technical; used for metal sheets, wires, and screws instead of thickness

文法句型

a thickness of + number + unit

in thickness

用法筆記

Can be countable (different thicknesses for different measurements) or uncountable (general concept). When specifying a value, the pattern 'a thickness of [number]' is idiomatic.

常見錯誤

The width of the board is 2 cm' (when you mean the smallest dimension).
The thickness of the board is 2 cm.
💡'width' measures from side to side; 'thickness' measures between the two largest surfaces.

3. a single sheet, coating, or level of a material that lies on top of something or

3.名詞B1
釋義

一層鋪在表面上的材料

a single sheet, coating, or level of a material that lies on top of something or between other materials — for example, putting several thicknesses of newspaper on a table before painting.

例句

The package was wrapped in several thicknesses of bubble wrap for protection.

包裹包了好幾層氣泡布來保護。

countable: several thicknesses of

For extra warmth in winter, Linh wore two thicknesses of woollen socks.

為了在冬天更保暖,Linh 穿了兩層羊毛襪。

同義詞
  • layer

    more common in everyday language; 'thickness' emphasises the material's role as a covering

  • sheet

    used for flat, flexible materials like paper or metal; 'thickness' is broader

文法句型

a thickness of + noun

several thicknesses of + noun

用法筆記

Always countable. Frequently used in the plural (several thicknesses) or with modifiers like 'double', 'single', 'multiple' before 'thickness'.

常見錯誤

A thickness of paper is on the floor' (vague).
Place a single thickness of paper on the floor.
💡Use 'single' or 'double' to make the meaning of 'layer' clear.

4. how slowly or easily a liquid pours, based on how strongly its parts resist move

4.名詞B2
釋義

黏稠度

液體不易流動的性質

how slowly or easily a liquid pours, based on how strongly its parts resist movement — for example, the thickness of honey makes it pour much more slowly than water.

例句

Élise tested the thickness of the soup by watching how slowly it poured.

Élise 藉由觀察湯品流下的速度來測試湯的濃稠度。

collocation: test/adjust the thickness of + liquid

In cold weather, engine oil has a greater thickness and flows more slowly.

天氣寒冷時,引擎機油的黏稠度較高,流動速度也較慢。

同義詞
  • viscosity

    the formal scientific term; 'thickness' is the everyday word for the same idea

  • consistency

    broader term describing how firm or thick a substance feels; thickness focuses specifically on resistance to flow

反義詞
  • thinness

    the quality of a liquid that pours easily, like water or milk

文法句型

the thickness of + liquid

adjust/reduce the thickness

用法筆記

Uncountable. In cooking, 'adjust the thickness' usually means add liquid (to reduce) or add flour/cornstarch (to increase). In engineering, 'viscosity' is the preferred technical term.

常見錯誤

This sauce has a nice thickness' (when talking about food casually).
This sauce has a nice consistency.
💡In everyday conversation about food, 'consistency' sounds more natural than 'thickness.'