spessore
/spesˈso.re/masculine
The English word thickness can be translated into Italian as spessore. Wiktionary also lists grossezza.
Meaning: property of being thick in dimension (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| spessore | /spesˈso.re/ | masculine |
| grossezza | feminine |
spessore is used to describe the property of being thick in dimension. In technical, mathematical or engineering contexts, spessore is the standard term for the measurement of thickness.
Which one should you use?
Use spessore when referring to the physical dimension of an object, such as a wall or a sheet of paper. In contrast, use grossezza to describe the thickness or coarseness of a substance or a texture. Be aware that grossezza can also mean 'rudeness' or 'vulgarity' in a figurative sense.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /spesˈso.re/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The root of spessore is the adjective spesso, which also means 'often' when used as an adverb.
- The word spessore is used metaphorically to describe a person's intellectual or cultural depth, such as saying someone has spessore culturale.
- If you are talking about the thickness of a liquid, such as a sauce, Italians would more commonly use densità or consistenza instead of spessore.
Examples in context
- Il pannello ha uno spessore di 5 centimetriThe panel has a thickness of 5 centimeters
- Il tessuto ha un grossore di 2 millimetriThe fabric has a thickness of 2 millimeters
- L'incrinatura sulla parete raggiunge uno spessore di 1 centimetroThe crack on the wall reaches a thickness of 1 centimeter
- La piuma ha poco spessore fisicoThe feather has little physical thickness
- lo spessore del vetroThe thickness of the glass
- Lo spessore del vetro è insufficiente.The thickness of the glass is insufficient.
- Controlla lo spessore di questo foglio.Check the thickness of this sheet.
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are choosing a piece of wood for a project.
- SofiaAlessandro, guarda questo pannello di legno.Alessandro, look at this wooden panel.
- AlessandroMi sembra troppo sottile.It seems too thin to me.
- SofiaHai ragione, lo spessore non è sufficiente.You are right, the thickness is not sufficient.
- AlessandroCerchiamo un pezzo più robusto.Let's look for a sturdier piece.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thickness” translations and entries spessore, grossezza, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
