Phrase guide

thick skin

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /θɪk ˈskɪn/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Ability to take criticism or harsh behavior without being easily offended.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see thick, skin.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

skin that is very thick (as an elephant or rhinoceros)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: skin, tegument, cutis

History

Etymology

thick + skin

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: dikke huid — the ability to take criticism
  • Finnish: paksunahkaisuus — the ability to take criticism
  • German: dickes Fell — the ability to take criticism
  • Polish: gruba skóra — the ability to take criticism