thorough

[thur-oh, thuhr-oh]

adjective

1. executed without negligence or omissions.

   a thorough search.

   Synonyms: total, unqualified, sheer, downright, exhaustive, in-depth
   Antonyms: superficial, partial

2. complete; perfect; utter.

   thorough enjoyment.

3. extremely attentive to accuracy and detail; painstaking: a thorough analysis.

   a thorough worker;

   a thorough analysis.

4. having full command or mastery of an art, talent, etc..

   a thorough actress.

5. extending or passing through.

adverb

1. Archaic.,  through.

noun

1. (initial capital letter),  the administrative policies of the Earl of Stafford and Archbishop Laud during the reign of Charles I: so called because they were uncompromisingly carried out.

thorough

¹

/ ˈθʌrə /

adjective

1. carried out completely and carefully

   a thorough search

2. (prenominal) utter

   a thorough bore

3. painstakingly careful

   my work is thorough

Thorough

²

/ ˈθʌrə /

noun

1. thoroughgoing policy, as adopted in England by Strafford and Laud during the reign of Charles I

Other Word Forms

• thoroughly adverb
• thoroughness noun
• quasi-thorough adjective
• quasi-thoroughly adverb
• superthorough adjective
• superthoroughly adverb
• unthorough adjective
• unthoroughly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorough¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (preposition and adverb); Old English thuruh, variant of thurh through

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorough¹

Old English thurh; related to Old Frisian thruch, Old Saxon thuru, Old High German duruh; see _through

Example Sentences

The medical examiner’s office agreed, deciding against a more thorough autopsy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With a more thorough understanding of history and an appreciation for the advances capitalism has brought to the world, socialism dies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As for Madame Ionesco, the missing Gypsy, what with being in jail and all, I haven’t been able to conduct a thorough search for her just yet.

Read more on Literature

“After a robust process and a thorough evaluation of a range of alternatives, we believe this sale is the best outcome for our shareholders, as well as our employees and other stakeholders,” CEO Brewer said.

Read more on MarketWatch

FBI security measures are designed to protect sensitive intelligence sources and information, and the screening is intended to ensure that officials given access to this information have cleared a thorough vetting process.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• accurate 
• careful 
• complete 
• comprehensive 
• detailed 
• exhaustive 
• full 
• intensive 
• meticulous 
• painstaking 
• profound