DictionaryAI

thorough

THUR-oh/ˈθʌɹoʊ/THUR-uh/ˈθʌɹə/

4 meanings of thorough

Practice

  1. 1
    carefuladjective
    Done carefully and completely, with attention to every small detail.

    Like checking every corner of a room so nothing is left behind.

    The mechanic did a thorough check of the engine before the long trip.

    She is always thorough when cleaning, so nothing ever gets missed.

    UsageOften a thorough search. Do not mix it up with through.

    Similarmeticulous, careful, detailed, comprehensive, exhaustive

    Oppositesuperficial, cursory, careless, perfunctory

  2. 2
    totaladjective
    Full and complete, with nothing missing or held back.

    Like a glass filled right up to the very top.

    The party was a thorough success from start to finish.

    His first attempt turned out to be a thorough mess.

    UsageOften a thorough failure or a thorough fool.

    Similarcomplete, utter, total, absolute, outright

    Oppositepartial

    Note
  3. 3
    prepositionarchaic
    Through, going from one side or end of something to the other.
    You are contented to be led in triumph Thorough the streets of Rome?
    1599, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”Here, Thorough means through, so from one end of the streets to the other.
    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    noundialectalUK
    A narrow channel cut between two raised strips of ground to carry away rain water.

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Origin

From an Old English word that was another form of "þurh," which also gave us the word "through."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts