thickset: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Descriptive, sometimes slightly literary.
Quick answer
What does “thickset” mean?
Having a broad, solid, and sturdy build, especially with a short, wide body and strong limbs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Having a broad, solid, and sturdy build, especially with a short, wide body and strong limbs.
A person or animal with a solid, broad, and compact physique. Can also describe something planted or growing close together (e.g., a thickset hedge).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is broadly similar in both varieties. The 'closely planted' sense is slightly more common in UK English, though still infrequent.
Connotations
Same core connotations of solidity, strength, and a compact build.
Frequency
Relatively low frequency in both varieties. More likely to be encountered in literary descriptions, sports commentary, or historical accounts.
Grammar
How to Use “thickset” in a Sentence
[to be] thickset[look/appear] thickset[has/have] a thickset buildVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thickset” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He was a thickset man, ideal for playing prop forward.
- The farmer had a thickset, dependable look about him.
- They planted a thickset hedge to shield the garden from the wind.
American English
- The bouncer was a thickset guy with a shaved head.
- She preferred thickset cattle for their hardiness.
- The old wrestler had become thickset with age.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might be used informally to describe a person's physical presence.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in literary analysis or historical/biographical texts describing characters or figures.
Everyday
Descriptive term used to talk about a person's physique, often in the context of sports, manual labour, or first impressions.
Technical
Could be used in animal husbandry or agriculture to describe livestock or the planting of a hedge.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thickset”
- Spelling as 'thick-set' or 'thick set' (the standard form is a single, unhyphenated word). Using it to describe only weight rather than a combination of shortness and broadness. Using it as a negative insult (it's neutral/descriptive).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Thickset' emphasises a broad, solid, and strong build, often implying muscle and bone structure. It is not a synonym for 'overweight' or 'obese', though a thickset person may also carry extra weight. It's generally a neutral or mildly positive descriptive term.
They are very close synonyms. 'Stocky' is more common and often implies a slightly shorter, square build. 'Thickset' can carry a slightly stronger sense of density and might be used for slightly larger frames. They are often interchangeable.
Yes, but it's less common. It can describe something planted or growing close together, forming a dense mass, like a 'thickset hedge' or 'thickset woodland'. This usage is more literary or specialised.
It is primarily used as an adjective before a noun ('a thickset man') or after a linking verb like 'be', 'look', or 'appear' ('He looks very thickset'). It does not have common verb or adverb forms.
Having a broad, solid, and sturdy build, especially with a short, wide body and strong limbs.
Thickset is usually descriptive, sometimes slightly literary. in register.
Thickset: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθɪkˈsɛt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθɪkˌsɛt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. The concept of 'built like a brick outhouse' is a related idiomatic expression.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'set' or 'planted' 'thick' post – short, broad, and firmly rooted in the ground.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN BODY IS A DENSE OBJECT (like a tree trunk or a wall).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these sentences is 'thickset' used correctly?