Dumb vs. Thick: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
"Dumb" primarily means unable to speak or lacking intelligence; "thick" mainly refers to high density or low mental acuity.
Key Differences
“Dumb” and “thick” are both adjectives in the English language, and while they might sometimes be used interchangeably in casual language to refer to lack of intelligence, they have different primary meanings. “Dumb” originally refers to the inability to speak, but it’s also colloquially used to describe something or someone perceived as lacking intelligence or making unwise decisions. For example, “He acted dumb in the meeting,” implies a lack of intelligent contribution.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
“Thick,” on the other hand, primarily denotes a substantial extent from one surface to the opposite, such as in a material object. It’s often used to describe physical dimensions. However, in informal language, “thick” can also refer to someone who is slow to understand or perceive things, similar to one of the colloquial meanings of “dumb.” For instance, saying, “The book’s pages are thick,” refers to physical dimension, while, “He is a bit thick,” refers to mental acuity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
“Dumb” can also imply mute or silent, not expressing or accompanied by speech or sound, for instance, a dumb show is a mime performance. This usage highlights the incapacity for speech but does not necessarily imply a lack of intelligence.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
In contrast, “thick” can refer to density or viscosity of a fluid or semi-fluid substance. When someone says, “The sauce is too thick,” it means that the sauce has a dense or viscous consistency. It can also refer to a close gathering of objects or individuals, like a thick crowd, reflecting density rather than any implication of intelligence.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
In conclusion, while “dumb” and “thick” have colloquial overlap relating to perceived lack of intelligence, their primary definitions are distinct, with “dumb” relating to speech and “thick” to density or dimension.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Unable to speak.
Having a large distance between opposite sides.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Colloquial Use
Lacking intelligence.
Slow to understand; dense (both in mind and matter).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Context
Can denote silence or a lack of sound.
Refers to the density or viscosity of objects or fluids.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Expressiveness
Often used to express frustration or disbelief at someone’s actions.
Used to describe the physical state or appearance of objects.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Application
Applied to people, actions, or decisions.
Applied to objects, substances, and occasionally, people.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
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Dumb and Thick Definitions
Thick
Relatively great in extent from one surface to the opposite, usually in the smallest solid dimension; not thin
A thick board.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
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Thick
Measuring a specified number of units in this dimension
Two inches thick.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
Showing a lack of judgment, sense, or reason; foolish.
That was a dumb mistake.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Thick
Having component parts in a close, crowded state or arrangement; dense
A thick forest.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
(Offensive) Incapable of using speech; mute. Used of humans. See Usage Note at mute.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Hard to hear or understand, as from being husky or slurred
Thick speech.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
(dated) Unable to speak; lacking power of speech (kept in "deaf, dumb, and blind").
His younger brother was born dumb, and communicated with sign language.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
In a close, compact state or arrangement; densely
Dozens of braids hung thick from the back of her head.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
So as to be thick; thickly
Slice the bread thick for the best French toast.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
Extremely stupid.
You are so dumb! You don't even know how to make toast!
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
(figuratively) Pointless, foolish, lacking intellectual content or value.
This is dumb! We're driving in circles! We should have asked for directions an hour ago!
Brendan had the dumb job of moving boxes from one conveyor belt to another.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Relatively great in extent from one surface to the opposite in its smallest solid dimension.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Measuring a certain number of units in this dimension.
I want some planks that are two inches thick.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Heavy in build; thickset.
He had such a thick neck that he had to turn his body to look to the side.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Having a viscous consistency.
My mum’s gravy was thick but at least it moved about.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
Destitute of the power of speech; unable; to utter articulate sounds; as, the dumb brutes.
To unloose the very tongues even of dumb creatures.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
Not willing to speak; mute; silent; not speaking; not accompanied by words; as, dumb show.
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.
To pierce into the dumb past.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
Lacking brightness or clearness, as a color.
Her stern was painted of a dumb white or dun color.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Greatly evocative of one's nationality or place of origin.
He answered me in his characteristically thick Creole patois.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Dumb
Slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity;
So dense he never understands anything I say to him
Never met anyone quite so dim
Although dull at classical learning, at mathematics he was uncommonly quick
Dumb officials make some really dumb decisions
He was either normally stupid or being deliberately obtuse
Worked with the slow students
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Difficult to understand, or poorly articulated.
We had difficulty understanding him with his thick accent.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
The thickest, or most active or intense, part of something.
It was mayhem in the thick of battle.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Measuring in the third dimension other than length and breadth, or in general dimension other than length; - said of a solid body; as, a timber seven inches thick.
Were it as thick as is a branched oak.
My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Having more depth or extent from one surface to its opposite than usual; not thin or slender; as, a thick plank; thick cloth; thick paper; thick neck.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Dense; not thin; inspissated; as, thick vapors. Also used figuratively; as, thick darkness.
Make the gruel thick and slab.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Not transparent or clear; hence, turbid, muddy, or misty; as, the water of a river is apt to be thick after a rain.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Abundant, close, or crowded in space; closely set; following in quick succession; frequently recurring.
The people were gathered thick together.
Black was the forest; thick with beech it stood.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Not having due distinction of syllables, or good articulation; indistinct; as, a thick utterance.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Dull; not quick; as, thick of fearing.
His dimensions to any thick sight were invincible.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
The thickest part, or the time when anything is thickest.
In the thick of the dust and smoke.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
A thicket; as, gloomy thicks.
Through the thick they heard one rudely rush.
He through a little window cast his sightThrough thick of bars, that gave a scanty light.
Through thick and thin she followed him.
He became the panegyrist, through thick and thin, of a military frenzy.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
To a great depth, or to a greater depth than usual; as, land covered thick with manure.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
To thicken.
The nightmare Life-in-death was she,Who thicks man's blood with cold.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
The location of something surrounded by other things;
In the midst of the crowd
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions;
An inch thick
A thick board
A thick sandwich
Spread a thick layer of butter
Thick coating of dust
Thick warm blankets
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Closely crowded together;
A compact shopping center
A dense population
Thick crowds
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Relatively dense in consistency;
Thick cream
Thick soup
Thick smoke
Thick fog
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Spoken as if with a thick tongue;
The thick speech of a drunkard
His words were slurred
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Hard to pass through because of dense growth;
Dense vegetation
Thick woods
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
(of darkness) very intense;
Thick night
Thick darkness
A face in deep shadow
Deep night
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Heavy and compact in form or stature;
A wrestler of compact build
He was tall and heavyset
Stocky legs
A thick middle-aged man
A thickset young man
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
(used informally) associated on close terms;
A close friend
The bartender was chummy with the regular customers
The two were thick as thieves for months
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Thick
Having a relatively great depth or distance from one surface to the opposite.
The wall is two feet thick.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
Thick
Having component parts in a close, crowded state or arrangement; dense.
A thick forest.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Thick
(Informal) Lacking perception; slow-witted.
He is thick if he doesn’t understand that.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
FAQs
Can “thick” refer to density of substances?
Yes, “thick” can describe the density or viscosity of substances.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is “dumb” related to silence?
Yes, “dumb” can relate to being silent or not producing sound.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Does “dumb” always mean unintelligent?
No, “dumb” primarily means unable to speak; unintelligent is a colloquial use.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Does “thick” always relate to physical dimensions?
No, it can also refer informally to lack of perception or understanding.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Is “dumb” used to describe mute people?
Historically, yes, but it’s considered outdated and offensive in this context today.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Can “thick” describe a person's mental acuity?
Informally, yes; it can imply someone is slow to understand, but it’s potentially offensive.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
Is “dumb” offensive when referring to intelligence?
Yes, it can be perceived as derogatory and offensive; careful use is advised.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can “thick” be used to describe crowded situations?
Yes, it can describe areas or situations where objects or people are densely packed.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
Is it appropriate to use “dumb” to describe unwise decisions?
It’s colloquially used this way, but it can be insensitive or offensive to some.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Does “dumb” imply temporary speechlessness?
Yes, it can imply being temporarily unable or unwilling to speak due to surprise or shock.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
Does “thick” relate to intense or concentrated states?
Yes, it can refer to situations or environments that are intense, concentrated, or abundant in some elements.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Can “thick” mean close in proximity?
Yes, it can mean close in relationship or proximity, e.g., “They are thick as thieves.”
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
Can “thick” be used to describe fluid consistency?
Yes, it can describe the viscosity or density of a fluid or semi-fluid substance.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is “dumb” used as a noun?
Rarely, but it can be used as a noun, historically referring to a mute person, which is now considered offensive.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Is “dumb” a slang term?
It has slang uses, especially when referring to perceived lack of intelligence or unwise decisions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
