THIK-lee
/ˈθɪkli/
thickly is pronounced THIK-lee (/ˈθɪkli/). Thickly is an adverb meaning in a thick or densely packed manner, often describing physical texture or the concentration of something (e.g., paint, fog, or sound). It implies a noticeable density or heaviness and often conveys a sense of closeness or solidity. The word derives from thick + -ly, forming a degree or manner adverb used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Thickly is an adverb meaning in a thick or densely packed manner, often describing physical texture or the concentration of something (e.g., paint, fog, or sound). It implies a noticeable density or heaviness and often conveys a sense of closeness or solidity. The word derives from thick + -ly, forming a degree or manner adverb used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
"- The fog hung thickly over the valley, making navigation difficult."
"- He spoke thickly, as if his words were slowed by fatty lips."
"- The soup had thickly settled ingredients at the bottom."
Pronounce as /ˈthɪk.li/. The first syllable has a stressed short i sound as in 'thin' and 'kit', followed by a light 'lee' syllable. Ensure the 'th' is the voiceless dental /θ/ and that the /k/ is released clearly before the /l/. IPA guide: /ˈθɪk.li/ in careful speech. You’ll want a clean alveolar-tongue contact for /t/ release into /l/ rather than a merged or flapped sound.
Two common errors: (1) Slurring the /θ/ into /f/ or /t/; keep the dental fricative distinct, with the tongue gently touching the upper teeth. (2) Dropping the /l/ or making a dark L instead of a light L; aim for a clear light L at the end, with the tongue tip touching the alveolar ridge. Practice the sequence /θ/ + /ɪ/ + /k/ + /l/ + /i/ precisely, avoiding vowel reduction in the stressed syllable.
US and UK share /ˈθɪk.li/ in many speakers, but US tends to a slightly tensed /ɪ/ and a more pronounced /l/; UK often has a more clipped /ɪ/ and slightly less vowel length. Australian pronunciation often reduces the first syllable a touch more, potentially sounding closer to /ˈθɪk.li/ with a softer /ɪ/ and a less rounded /l/. Rhoticity is minimal impact here, as /th/ is non-rhotic to begin with, focusing on vowel quality and the light L.
The difficulty stems from two precise articulations: the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ and the light, quick /l/ following a short /ɪ/ vowel. Coarticulation makes the tongue position shift: dental friction for /θ/, then rapid retraction and elevation to release the /k/ and transition into /l/. Timing between /k/ and /l/ is crucial; hitting /k/ with strong release helps maintain the crisp /l/ onset.
Usually /ˈthɪk.li/ places primary stress on the first syllable. In very expressive or emphatic speech, you might temporarily emphasize the second syllable for contrast (e.g., The paint dried thickly, not thickly enough to settle). However, standard usage maintains first-syllable stress. The essential factor is the crisp release of /θ/ and the following /k/ before the light /l/.
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Thickly originates from the adjective thick, with the adverbial suffix -ly. Thick itself comes from Old English thick, related to Germanic thikk, meaning dense or gross, with Proto-Germanic roots. The sense evolution moved from physical density to the manner or rate in which something is present (e.g., fog thickly, paint thickly). The suffix -ly began to form adverbs in Middle English and became standard in Early Modern English. First known uses appear in the late medieval to early modern period, paralleling the expansion of descriptive adverbs in literature and scientific writing, where precise density or manner of action needed specification. Over centuries, thickly maintained its core sense of density with metaphorical extensions in metaphorical language (e.g., thickly in slang for confusingly).
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "thickly" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "thickly" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "thickly"
-kly sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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