German word

Schicht

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃɪçt/

Meaning

  • feminine nounlayer

Example

Auf dem Brot liegt eine dicke Schicht Marmelade.

There is a thick layer of jam on the bread.

Illustration for Schicht (layer)

More examples

Viele Probleme betreffen vor allem die untere Schicht der Gesellschaft.

Many problems mainly affect the lower stratum of society.

Core concept

A distinct horizontal band in a stack, surface, or larger structure, with other material above or below it.

Common phrases

  • untere Schicht der Gesellschaft

    lower stratum of society

  • soziale Schicht

    social stratum

  • obere Schicht

    upper stratum

Similar words

Belag: A layer of food or material covering the surface of something.
Schale: A thin outer covering that forms the shell or skin of fruit or a vessel.
Überzug: A surface coating that changes an object's appearance or texture.

Definition in German

Eine abgegrenzte, übereinanderliegende Lage von Material oder Substanz; im übertragenen Sinn eine Ebene in einem Aufbau.

Word origin

Schicht comes from Middle High German schiht and developed related senses for an arranged layer and an assigned period of work.

Usage tips

  • Schicht is feminine, so the basic forms are die Schicht and mehrere Schichten; in work contexts, eine Schicht means a work shift.

Other meanings

  • shiftnoun
  • stratumnoun
  • coatingnoun

Related words

  • Schichtungstratificationnoun
  • schichtiglayeredadjective

Word lists with this word