What is thickly? Pronunciation and usage in English

thickly means . Learn how to pronounce and use thickly through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of thickly

thicklyadverb

/ˈθɪkli/
Definition & pronunciation of thickly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "thickly." It’s a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown and some tips:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "Th" sound (as in "think"): This is the most crucial part. It's a voiced "th," meaning your vocal cords vibrate. Think of the "th" in “this” or “father”.

  • "ick": This is a combination of sounds. It’s a short "i" sound (as in “bit”) followed by a very quick “k” sound.

  • "ly": This is a common suffix that creates an adverb (a word describing how something is done). The “l” is pronounced clearly.

2. Putting it Together – The Breakdown:

Here's a more detailed breakdown, segment by segment:

  • "Thick": Pronounce it like "thik" (rhymes with “kick”). It’s quick and sharp.

  • "-ly": Add the "-ly" at the end. This gives you “thik-ly.”

3. Putting it all Together – The Full Word:

The whole word “thickly” is pronounced: “thik-ly”

4. Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Focus on the “th” sound: Really emphasize the voiced “th” and make sure your vocal cords are vibrating.
  • Don’t lengthen the “ick”: It’s very short and quick. Don’t drag it out.
  • Listen to native speakers: This is the most important thing. Find recordings of native English speakers saying “thickly.” Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "thickly" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. This will give you a native pronunciation.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%C9%9A%C3%A7%C9%9B%C3%96 - This website has pronunciations by many different native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce thickly" on YouTube and listen to various pronunciations.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Saying “thick-lee”: The “ee” sound is incorrect. It shouldn’t rhyme with “see.”
  • Over-emphasizing the “th”: It’s a quick sound, not a drawn-out one.

To help me tailor my explanation further, could you tell me:

  • What part of the pronunciation are you finding most challenging?

Usage and examples with the word thickly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "thickly" in English. It's an adverb that describes how something is done, specifically emphasizing a generous or abundant amount. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Meaning & Core Usage:

  • Meaning: "Thickly" means to do or apply something in a layer or mass, covering a surface completely or substantially. It implies more than just a thin layer; it suggests a substantial amount.
  • Focus: It’s about quantity and coverage.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • With Paints & Coatings: This is probably the most common usage.

    • "He painted the wall thickly with blue paint." (Meaning he applied a generous, substantial layer.)
    • "The sculptor applied the plaster thickly to the mold."
    • “The artist thickly layered the paint to create a textured effect.”

  • With Spreads & Pastes:

    • “She spread the jam thickly on her toast.” (More than a smear – a good coating.)
    • “He thickly applied the cream to his skin.” (A generous amount)

  • With Snow or Rain:

    • “Snow was falling thickly, covering the ground.” (Heavy snowfall, completely covering.)
    • “Rain fell thickly during the storm.”

  • With Ink or Dye:

    • “He wrote the words thickly with a black marker.” (Bold, dark, and abundant).
    • "The fabric was dyed thickly, creating a vibrant color."

  • With Food (Less Common, but Valid): While less frequent, it can describe applying sauce or other thick ingredients.

    • "She layered the lasagna thickly with ricotta cheese."

  • Figurative Usage (Describing Density or Complexity): This is where it gets a little more creative. "Thickly" can suggest a large amount of something layered on top of something else.

    • "The novel was packed thickly with characters and subplots." (Meaning it had a very complex and densely populated storyline.)
    • "His argument was thickly layered with assumptions." (He supported it with a lot of underlying, unstated beliefs.)

3. Important Notes & Comparisons:

  • "Thick" vs. "Thickly": “Thick” is an adjective (describing something’s quality - ‘thick milk’). “Thickly” is an adverb (describing how something is done).
  • "Lightly" vs. "Thickly": These are antonyms. "Lightly" means in a thin layer.

4. Example Sentences Combining Different Concepts:

  • "She thickly brushed the watercolor paint onto the canvas, creating a beautifully textured landscape."
  • “The chef thickly seasoned the roast with herbs and spices.”

To help me tailor my explanation even more, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking of using "thickly" in? (e.g., are you describing a painting, a recipe, a literary work, etc.?)

Synonyms for the word thickly

Practice with vocabulary thickly

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The environmental report highlighted how exhaust fumes hung ______ in the polluted air of the industrial district.
  2. To achieve a robust, water-resistant finish, the protective coating must be applied ______ to the metal surface.
  3. The data was presented ______ in the research paper, making it challenging for readers to grasp the key findings quickly.
  4. During the intense workout, sweat ran ______ down his face, indicating the strenuous effort he was putting in.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. During the heavy snowstorm, the snowflakes fell (A) thickly (B) lightly (C) intermittently (D) sparsely, quickly accumulating on the roads.
  2. To create a strong, durable layer, the industrial sealant was applied (A) thinly (B) thickly (C) unevenly (D) generously.
  3. The novel describes a primeval forest where ancient trees grew (A) densely (B) thickly (C) sparsely (D) lightly, making it almost impenetrable.
  4. The research indicated that the pollutant levels in the river had increased (A) marginally (B) substantially (C) minimally (D) negligibly over the past decade.
  5. To save space in the shipping container, the boxes were packed (A) loosely (B) randomly (C) densely (D) casually.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The chef made sure that the icing was spread in a very substantial layer on the cake. (Rewrite using "thickly")
  2. The visibility was severely reduced due to the very dense fog. (Rewrite using "thickly" or a related word form)
  3. The company allocated a generous amount of funds for the employee training program. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "thickly" or its forms)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. thickly
  2. thickly
  3. densely
  4. profusely

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A. thickly
  2. B. thickly, D. generously
  3. A. densely, B. thickly
  4. B. substantially
  5. C. densely

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The chef made sure that the icing was spread thickly on the cake.
  2. The fog lay thickly, severely reducing visibility. (Alternative: A thick fog severely reduced visibility.)
  3. The company allocated substantially more funds for the employee training program.

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