Thick vs. Chubby: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
Thick refers to the greater dimension or density of an object, while chubby denotes a plump or rounded appearance, typically due to an accumulation of fat.
Key Differences
The words “thick” and “chubby” are adjectives describing different attributes. “Thick” commonly refers to a greater dimension, density, or viscosity, and is versatile, applicable to various contexts, like objects, liquids, and even air, delineating a denseness or compactness in composition. On the contrary, “chubby” is more specific, predominantly describing a rounded and plump appearance, often associated with people, particularly children, and implying a fuller form due to the accumulation of fat or flesh, reflecting a sense of cuteness or endearment.
Delving further, “thick” can denote substantiality and profundity in its application, whether referring to the breadth of a book, the opacity of a liquid, or the depth of fog. It implies a certain heaviness and solidity, translating to a sense of robustness and durability in objects. However, “chubby,” remains restricted to delineating a bodily form, conveying a gentle and pleasant fullness, more associated with a healthy or over-nourished state, radiating a feeling of warmth and friendliness, rather than solidity or heaviness.
In another distinction, the use of “thick” can imply a negative or positive quality, depending on context, such as undesirable thickness in a liquid, or desirable thickness in a protective wall. It carries a neutral connotation, suggesting no inherent value judgment. Conversely, “chubby” carries a more subjective and often affectionate connotation, especially when referring to babies or children, but it can also be used pejoratively to describe adults, implying excess weight or roundness, and possibly leading to judgments related to appearance or health.
In terms of usage and implication, “thick” serves a broader and more functional role, describing various entities and their substantial or dense nature, without implying a value judgment. It can be observed in multiple contexts with different meanings. “Chubby,” meanwhile, is narrower in its applicability, focusing primarily on appearance and form, usually in a human context, carrying a range of connotations from endearing to judgmental, based on societal perceptions of body shape and size.
Finally, while “thick” and “chubby” describe different attributes and have varied connotations and applications, they intersect in describing something in a more substantial form, whether it be an object’s dimension or a person’s body. It’s crucial to use these words considerately and contextually, acknowledging their differing implications and the sensibilities surrounding body image and appearance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Relates to greater dimension, density, or viscosity.
Denotes a rounded, plump appearance due to fat.
Application
Versatile, used for objects, liquids, etc.
Primarily used to describe physical appearance.
Connotation
Generally neutral.
Can be endearing or pejorative, depending on context.
Implication
Implies solidity, density, or substantiality.
Implies fullness and roundness of form.
Specificity
Broad and varied in application.
More specific and limited in application.
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Thick and Chubby Definitions
Thick
Dense in composition or arrangement.
He walked through the thick forest.
Chubby
Rounded and soft in shape.
He has a chubby face.
Thick
Having or suggesting a heavy or viscous consistency.
The soup is too thick for my liking.
Chubby
Pleasantly plump.
The chubby baby giggled.
Thick
Difficult to see through.
The fog was so thick that I couldn’t see anything.
Chubby
Having an abundance of flesh.
His chubby cheeks are adorable.
Thick
Relatively great in extent from one surface to the opposite, usually in the smallest solid dimension; not thin
A thick board.
Chubby
Having a full, rounded form; plump.
She has a chubby figure.
Thick
Measuring a specified number of units in this dimension
Two inches thick.
Chubby
Rounded and plump.
Thick
Heavy in form, build, or stature; thickset
A thick neck.
Chubby
(Informal) A chubby person.
Thick
Having component parts in a close, crowded state or arrangement; dense
A thick forest.
Chubby
Of a person: slightly overweight, somewhat fat, and hence plump, rounded, and soft.
Obviously the chubby child was eating too much.
Thick
Having or suggesting a heavy or viscous consistency
Thick tomato sauce.
Chubby
Of a body part: containing a moderate amount of fat.
It’s quite normal for babies to have chubby cheeks.
Thick
Having a great number; abounding
A room thick with flies.
Chubby
A chubby, plump person
Thick
Impenetrable by the eyes
A thick fog.
Chubby
An overweight or obese gay man.
Thick
Hard to hear or understand, as from being husky or slurred
Thick speech.
Chubby
Like a chub; plump, short, and thick.
Thick
Very noticeable; pronounced
Has a thick accent.
Chubby
Euphemisms for slightly fat;
A generation ago...buxom actresses were popular
Chubby babies
Pleasingly plump
Thick
(Informal) Lacking mental agility; stupid.
Chubby
Carrying a little extra weight on one's body.
The puppy is a little chubby.
Thick
(Informal) Very friendly; intimate
Thick friends.
Thick
(Informal) Going beyond what is tolerable; excessive.
Thick
In a thick manner; deeply or heavily
Seashells lay thick on the beach.
Thick
In a close, compact state or arrangement; densely
Dozens of braids hung thick from the back of her head.
Thick
So as to be thick; thickly
Slice the bread thick for the best French toast.
Thick
The thickest part.
Thick
The most active or intense part
In the thick of the fighting.
Thick
Relatively great in extent from one surface to the opposite in its smallest solid dimension.
Thick
Measuring a certain number of units in this dimension.
I want some planks that are two inches thick.
Thick
Heavy in build; thickset.
He had such a thick neck that he had to turn his body to look to the side.
Thick
Densely crowded or packed.
We walked through thick undergrowth.
Thick
Having a viscous consistency.
My mum’s gravy was thick but at least it moved about.
Thick
Abounding in number.
The room was thick with reporters.
Thick
Impenetrable to sight.
We drove through thick fog.
Thick
(Of an accent) Prominent, strong.
Thick
Greatly evocative of one's nationality or place of origin.
He answered me in his characteristically thick Creole patois.
Thick
Difficult to understand, or poorly articulated.
We had difficulty understanding him with his thick accent.
Thick
(informal) Stupid.
He was as thick as two short planks.
Thick
(informal) Friendly or intimate.
They were as thick as thieves.
Thick
Deep, intense, or profound.
Thick darkness.
Thick
(academic) Detailed and expansive; substantive.
Thick
Troublesome; unreasonable
Thick
Curvy and voluptuous, and especially having large hips.
Thick
In a thick manner.
Snow lay thick on the ground.
Thick
Frequently or numerously.
The arrows flew thick and fast around us.
Thick
The thickest, or most active or intense, part of something.
It was mayhem in the thick of battle.
Thick
A thicket.
Thick
(slang) A stupid person; a fool.
Thick
To thicken.
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.
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.
Thick
Dense; not thin; inspissated; as, thick vapors. Also used figuratively; as, thick darkness.
Make the gruel thick and slab.
Thick
Not transparent or clear; hence, turbid, muddy, or misty; as, the water of a river is apt to be thick after a rain.
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.
Thick
Not having due distinction of syllables, or good articulation; indistinct; as, a thick utterance.
Thick
Deep; profound; as, thick sleep.
Thick
Dull; not quick; as, thick of fearing.
His dimensions to any thick sight were invincible.
Thick
Intimate; very friendly; familiar.
We have been thick ever since.
Thick
The thickest part, or the time when anything is thickest.
In the thick of the dust and smoke.
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.
Thick
Frequently; fast; quick.
Thick
Closely; as, a plat of ground thick sown.
Thick
To a great depth, or to a greater depth than usual; as, land covered thick with manure.
Thick
To thicken.
The nightmare Life-in-death was she,Who thicks man's blood with cold.
Thick
The location of something surrounded by other things;
In the midst of the crowd
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
Thick
Closely crowded together;
A compact shopping center
A dense population
Thick crowds
Thick
Relatively dense in consistency;
Thick cream
Thick soup
Thick smoke
Thick fog
Thick
Spoken as if with a thick tongue;
The thick speech of a drunkard
His words were slurred
Thick
Wide from side to side;
A heavy black mark
Thick
Hard to pass through because of dense growth;
Dense vegetation
Thick woods
Thick
(of darkness) very intense;
Thick night
Thick darkness
A face in deep shadow
Deep night
Thick
Abundant;
A thick head of hair
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
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
Thick
Used informally
Thick
Abundantly covered or filled;
The top was thick with dust
Thick
With a thick consistency;
The blood was flowing thick
Thick
In quick succession;
Misfortunes come fast and thick
Thick
Having a large distance between opposite sides.
The walls are two feet thick.
Thick
Not intelligent; slow to understand.
Some might consider him a bit thick.
FAQs
Is thick always used to describe solid objects?
No, thick can describe any entity with substantial density or viscosity, like liquids or fog.
Can chubby be used as a compliment?
Yes, chubby can be endearing, especially when referring to babies or young children.
Is being described as chubby generally negative?
It can be perceived negatively, especially when discussing adults, due to societal standards on body image.
Is it rude to call someone chubby?
It can be, as it refers to body size, and such comments can be sensitive.
Can thick imply a lack of intelligence?
Yes, thick can be a colloquial and derogatory term for describing someone as unintelligent.
Is chubby used only for humans?
Predominantly, but it can describe animals or even inanimate objects resembling plumpness.
Can the thickness of a liquid be adjusted?
Yes, adding or reducing liquid can adjust the thickness or viscosity of a mixture.
Does thick always refer to dimension?
No, it can refer to the density, opacity, viscosity, or even the mental capability of an individual.
Can chubby refer to a temporary state?
Yes, individuals might appear chubby due to temporary weight gain or puffiness.
Can something be thick and not dense?
Thickness generally implies a degree of density, but it can also refer to dimension alone, as in a thick book.
Can chubby be used medically?
It’s informal; medical terms like overweight or obese are more appropriate.
Can air be described as thick?
Yes, typically implying a high level of humidity, pollution, or tension.
Can thick describe a crowd?
Yes, it can denote a high density of people in an area.
Can you describe a thick voice?
Yes, it can imply a voice that is husky, coarse, or has a strong accent.
Is a chubby appearance always due to fat?
Predominantly, but it could also be due to muscle mass or body structure.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
